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Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Woodhouse today refutes Labour MP Andrew Little’s claims that the Employment Relations Amendment Bill is ‘mean-spirited and unfair’.

“Mr Little’s claims that the Bill will see the end of smoko breaks is nothing but a cynical dog whistle used by Labour to create a climate of fear,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Trade Minister Tim Groser will depart today for Sydney to join Ministers from countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for the next round of negotiations.

“Negotiations are entering a crucial stage, with some of the most difficult issues remaining to be addressed in the negotiations such as agricultural market access, intellectual property and disciplines on state-owned enterprises,” Mr Groser says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand Wairarapa DHB’s innovative approach to streamlining the region’s needs assessments.

“We want New Zealanders to live healthier lives away from hospitals,” says Dr Coleman.

“To ensure people have the independence they want, it is important they are getting the appropriate integrated needs assessments and support services.”

The Government’s family justice reforms are proving highly successful, with almost 75 percent of parenting disputes referred to mediation being completely resolved without the need to go to court.

The Family Justice reforms, which went live on 31 March, place out-of-court community-based resolution services at the heart of a new system to resolve family disputes about the care of children.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges is encouraging road users to keep safe as they travel on the roads over Labour Weekend.

“Many people take advantage of the long weekend to see family and friends, or to get out on their motorcycle or bike, so roads can be busier than usual,” Mr Bridges says.

“Taking the time to make sure that you and your vehicle are in good nick before you get on the road, sticking to the road rules and being considerate of other road users all combine to make journeys safer.”

Prime Minister John Key today announced the appointments of Chris Hodson QC as the chair of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security’s Advisory Panel and Angela Foulkes ONZM as a member of the Panel.

The appointments were made by the Governor General and each is for a term of two years.

“These are the first appointments to the Advisory Panel, which was newly created with amendments to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996 in September last year,” says Mr Key.   

A Queenstown Lakes Housing Accord has been signed between Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Mayor Vanessa van Uden to provide an additional 1300 homes over the next three years.

“The Queenstown Lakes District is one of the five least affordable housing areas in New Zealand, with a median house price of $664,000. The Accord agreed today aims to deliver a 20 per cent increase on the number of houses that have been built in the area in the past, and accordingly it will improve both supply and affordability in the region,” Dr Smith says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today visited Capital and Coast DHB which has made good progress on the government’s shorter stays in emergency department target.

“Staff from across Capital and Coast DHB including clinicians and administrators have worked together to make significant progress on the shorter stays in emergency department target,” says Dr Coleman.

Thank you for the invite.

I want to start by saying that as Minister I’m committed to a vibrant, profitable and sustainable aquaculture industry for New Zealand.

Your industry is a priority for us as a Government and we have a strategy to support this.

Your goal of reaching $1 billion in annual sales fits in with our goal of doubling the value of primary sector exports by 2025.

Challenges ahead

Fletcher Residential has been chosen as the Government’s private sector partner for a new affordable housing project on an 11.5-hectare Crown-owned site in Christchurch, Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

Prime Minister John Key has expressed his deepest sympathies to those affected by this morning’s events in Canada.

“The reasons behind the fatal shooting in Ottawa this morning are not yet known, but it is clearly a senseless act of violence,” says John Key.

“I wish to extend New Zealand’s sincere condolences to the people of Canada who will be shaken by this violent act.”

“I will personally extend those thoughts and wishes to Prime Minister Harper.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse today officially launched the national roll-out of the Booze Bus Biometrics (BBB) system.

The BBB system will enable Police to confirm within minutes, the identities of people in the system that they intend to charge with drink-driving offences, by electronically scanning fingerprints, taking digital photographs and comparing the data to existing Police records.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the annual report on Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2014 shows that public health and disability services continue to offer better access to safe and effective care.

“Waiting times are reducing, and services are increasingly being planned, managed, funded, and delivered in a sustainable way,” says Dr Coleman.

The report from the Health Minister shows the public health service continues to perform well against the Government’s Health Targets, and further deliver improvements in priority areas.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated New Zealand’s TIN 100 companies on reaching $7.6 billion in annual turnover, a $1 billion increase over the last five years.

The annual TIN 100 report released last night in Auckland shows the turnover of New Zealand’s top 100 technology companies grew 3.6 per cent over the 2013/14 year, while exports grew 2.3 per cent to $5.6 billion.

The rollout of fast internet to schools continues to exceed expectations with the connection by Network for Learning (N4L) of the 1000th school to the Government’s Managed Network, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“I am delighted to be able to today visit Stanley Avenue School in the Waikato town of Te Aroha, the 1000th school to be connected. This means that 40 per cent of New Zealand schools are now connected to the Managed Network.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says government agencies remain prepared to deal with any potential Ebola cases in New Zealand.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we are taking every precaution to deal with the threat of Ebola,” says Dr Coleman.

“I am receiving daily updates on the situation both here in New Zealand and overseas, and officials are constantly updating the comprehensive measures we have in place as part of the international response to the threat of Ebola.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman extends his congratulations to the athletes and sports officials who have been awarded Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships.

“The Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships are an important boost for outstanding athletes, coaches, officials and support team members as they juggle the demands of sports and study,” says Dr Coleman.

The Government has announced that a series of job fairs will be held in capital cities across Australia to encourage more Kiwis to return home and Australians to settle here to help fill emerging skills gaps and support thriving New Zealand-based businesses.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, together with international employment event organiser Working In, will be hosting the first two expos in Perth on 22-23 November and Sydney on the 29-30 November. Further events will follow in Melbourne and Brisbane in the first quarter of next year.

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā hau e whā. 

Ka nui te hari ahau kua tae mai nei, I waenganui a koutou me tēnei hui. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Good morning everyone and thank you for the invitation to open your annual conference, my first as Minister of Police.

I am looking forward to the challenges that come with this exciting portfolio and to understanding the business of policing.

I am also looking forward to getting out and visiting as many stations and meeting as many staff as I can.

Minister for ACC Nikki Kaye today welcomed the release of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s Annual Report, which shows its financial performance is improving.

ACC has achieved a surplus of $2.1billion - $300 million ahead of budget.

Levies will be reduced in 2015, and more reductions are expected from 2016, as the three levy accounts are now fully funded.

“I have written to the ACC Board to acknowledge this result. The Annual Report shows ACC is making good progress.

Successful applicants of the Gallipoli 2015 ballot have just four days left to accept their place at next year’s Anzac Day commemorations, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says.

The deadline for accepting passes and completing travel details is Saturday 25 October.

“Nearly 300 people have not yet accepted the offer of two passes to the commemoration services at Gallipoli.  If the offers are not accepted by midnight Saturday, with travel details, the passes will be reallocated to those on the waiting list,” Mr Foss says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says staff and prisoner safety in prisons will be boosted by the wider use of on body cameras in sites around the country.

“Frontline Corrections officers are well trained and resourced to deal with difficult situations in our prisons, but we remain focused on continually improving the safety of our staff and prisoners.  These cameras will be another measure to de-escalate what can often be highly tense situations.” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that Shane Jones will serve as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Nauru, Mauritius and the Seychelles in addition to his role as Pacific Economic Development Ambassador.

Delivered by His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand, on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament, Tuesday 21 October 2014

Honourable Members of the House of Representatives.

E nga Mema Honore o te Whare Paremata o Aotearoa, tenei aku mihi mahana ki a koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Following the General Election, a National-led Government has been formed with a majority in the House on confidence and supply.