Oral Questions for Thursday 27 March 2025

Questions to Ministers TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Justice: Why is this Government adjusting the funding criteria for the Proceeds of Crime Fund? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Minister for Rail: Is the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme on track? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Will the average jobseeker beneficiary subjected to compulsory money management be able to afford their rent and bills? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Acting Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Grocery Sector): What recent reports has she seen on grocery competition? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement yesterday that "The Treasury got its forecasts before the election plain wrong"; if so, why should the public believe future Treasury forecasts? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Justice: What actions has the Government taken to restore real consequences for crime? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Children: Does she stand by her statement regarding the release of the rates of reoffending by participants of the military-style academy pilot that "Oranga Tamariki is of the understanding that they follow my instructions that these young people's privacy is the most important thing, and making sure that we're taking care of the wellbeing and the safety of these young people comes first and foremost before anything else"; if so, did she direct Oranga Tamariki to withhold the rates of reoffending by participants of the military-style academy pilot? GREG FLEMING to the Minister for the Public Service: What recent reports has she seen from the Public Service Commission? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Local Government: Does he agree with Standard & Poor's that their ratings downgrade of 18 councils and three council-controlled organisations "reflects factors including the quick passage and repeal of several key laws governing local councils, the cancellation of various Crown grant programs, an increase in unfunded mandates, and recent announcements about infrastructure financing options"; if not, why not? LAN PHAM to the Minister of Conservation: Does he agree with the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries' statement that "Locals have raised serious concerns about the decline of spiny rock lobster in the inner Hauraki Gulf, and this has been backed up by fishery-independent research. I share these concerns and ... I've decided to stop spiny rock lobster fishing in the inner Gulf"; if so, is he also committed to protections in the Hauraki Gulf? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with the statement by the member for Wellington Central that people "do not want to see police officers everywhere, and, for a lot of people, it makes them feel less safe"; if not, why not? Question to Member Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Chairperson of the Justice Committee: Will he report the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill to the House before all submissions have been processed and considered by members?