11. LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
What reports has he received on the success of the Government’s role in reducing smoking?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
It is such good news. New Zealand, Ireland and Finland were jointly awarded the Global Smokefree Partnership’s Extraordinary Award last week in recognition of their exceptional and outstanding commitment in the development of guidelines for Article 8 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This is an outstanding achievement for a lot of hard work done by a lot of very good officials.
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
The first New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey was released in June this year and shows that New Zealanders want to quit this habit that kills nearly 5,000 of us every year. According to the survey, two-thirds of smokers in this country have tried to quit in the past 5 years. I would also like to refer to another Health Sponsorship Council monitor survey that showed that 90 percent of the population support the right to live and work in a smoke-free environment—endorsement of this Government’s change, the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003, which has been an outstanding success.
Dr Jackie BlueHow is it that the Minister can say the Government’s role is an outstanding achievement when, under his Government’s watch, lung cancer rates in women are steadily rising, and smoking remains high in young people, in Māori, and in Pacific Island people?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
It is true that we have some very sad statistics around lung cancer rates as a result of years of neglect by National Governments in this policy area. There have been improvements, although we would like to see more, in the area of reducing smoking rates, particularly with young Māori women. That is why we committed over $10 million extra in this area to reduce smoking across New Zealand.
I seek leave to table page 62 of the Ministry of Health’s Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths 2003—
Madam SPEAKERI seek leave to table a report by Action on Smoking and Health that shows smoking remains high in Māori and Pacific Islanders and in young people.
I seek leave to table the 2005 New Zealand Medical Journal article by Shaun Holt, which seriously questions the Government’s—
Hon Phil GoffCan the Minister confirm that when the smoke-free legislation came before the House it was opposed by the overwhelming majority of National members and, in fact, they put in their manifesto a pledge to repeal it, and is he aware that that is still their position, and is that the position of Dr Coleman, for example—
That is not acceptable. The Minister knows there is no responsibility for National policy. The first part of the question is acceptable.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It does not really matter too much whether the Minister answers the question, but I would ask you to consider whether there is ministerial responsibility by any Labour Minister for the National Party’s voting record, because that was the first part of the question.
Thank you, Mr Brownlee. If it is on a bill for which the Minister is responsible, yes, but he is not responsible for the party’s policy. But certainly if it relates to that, yes, the Minister is responsible. Would the Minister please reply briefly.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. This is not something this Minister is responsible for. This happened two Parliaments back. I would ask you again to consider whether any Minister in the current Government can be responsible for the National Party’s voting record on everything.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I am almost tempted to support the member, because it would be very helpful, of course, from a Government perspective if one could ask questions relating only to the current Minister in any portfolio, and not anything that might cover a previous Minister within at least the same Government. But I am sure that you are going to rule that that would be far too friendly a ruling from a Government perspective and should be rejected.
I will rule on it. If there is a bill before the House for which the Minister was responsible, then the Minister can address that question that relates to matters relating to it, including the voting on it.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I just want to be helpful to you. This, in fact, was a member’s bill.
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am sad to report that many National Party members voted against this legislation, and if I could quote one particular member, he said: “We will be in an extraordinarily grubby country as a result of this stupid legislation.” I am pleased to say that it is not true. In fact, the vast majority of bars and workplaces are far cleaner as a result of this legislation. The person who made that claim was Gerry Brownlee.