12. SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
Is he satisfied with the Ministry of Health’s contracting and monitoring of problem-gambling service providers; if not, why not?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes, I am satisfied with the strategic progress being made, but there is always room for improvement.
Does the Minister stand by his statement that if these people are not able to meet the targets then “we will be requiring money back from them”; if so, when does he expect this money will be repaid?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
The Ministry is in active discussion and negotiation with the twelve at-risk providers and I hope to have a report by the end of next week on that. I cannot prejudge what might be required from those providers, or from the ministry, to rectify the situation.
How long does the Minister think it is acceptable for teething problems to continue—teething problems such as the Te Rapuora health services paying $86,124 for counselling six clients—and is he aware that, contrary to his earlier claims, most of those providers have had contracts since July 2004?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am informed that five of the 12 are brand-new providers. The other seven have had contracts with the ministry before. However, they have been funded for a range of services broken down into different categories, and they range from brief and early intervention, peer support, community assessment and intervention, and community follow-up. These are all necessary services to try to get to the estimated 40,000 people in this country who have problem-gambling addictions.
Why does the ministry continue to pay problem-gambling service providers hundreds of thousands of dollars when the Minister’s officials have seen quarterly reports that show providers were falling well short of contracted levels, and would not a competent Minister expect his department to withhold money for non-performance?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am asking for a review of the contracts themselves to make sure that they have realistic targets that can be achieved and that they have negotiated sensible contracts with providers, who often struggle to get people with the capability and the skills to do this very difficult job.
Which are the 12 problem-gambling providers that are currently under review, and when does the Minister expect that review to be completed?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
As I said, there are 12 of them. They are included in the list that I have provided the member, and I am hoping for a report back on them by the end of next week.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Has the Minister received any reports suggesting that it is a bit rich for the National Party to raise this issue now, given its support, back in 1989, when the far right of the Labour Party brought in casinos and recent gambling outlets, all of which they were warned against; now we have 40,000 problem gamblers, and the National Party has finally woken up and is concerned?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am very aware of the problem. I am also aware of the irony of the situation and understand that the member on the other side of the House is rather enthusiastically supporting a gaming industry that, for the most part, delivers entertainment, but for 40,000 New Zealanders delivers a very sad outcome.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I seek leave to table the voting record of New Zealand First on this matter, which has been to consistently—[ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKERRt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I seek leave to table the voting record of New Zealand First, which shows we opposed these issues when they were raised.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The member has sought leave to table the voting record of New Zealand First. That is fascinating: on what?
That is not a point of order. The member clearly identified what it was on. He clearly identified, before he was rudely interrupted by members who are no longer with us, that he was referring to the voting on the introduction of casinos. Is there any objection to that? There is objection.
Hon Maurice Williamson Link to this
I seek leave to table the voting record of Winston Peters during 1989 on the legislation regarding casinos.