is a Government investing is a Government investing
significantly in our
education system and supporting more of
our vulnerable children.
My
My question is to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer
action, if any, has she taken since learning that Ron Hoy Fong
and the Auckland Property
Auckland Property Investors Association are actively
promoting practices such as the use of
fake bids and false names by property
investors to take advantage
of
We
We were
We were made aware of the allegations and I publicly stated my
allegations and I publicly stated my
concern, said I would take advice
from officials and
ensure the commerce commission was aware of
the issue. The commerce
Commission has now said it is
seeking more information and considering the
issues further before making a
decision on whether to
launch an investigation.
decision on whether to launch an investigation. Supplementary
investigation. Supplementary question, Michael Wood. Will the
minister join with Labour in
condemning the Auckland Property
condemning the Auckland Property
Investors Association for promoting
these unethical practices in its
members packs for over one year
and if she won't condemn them,
members packs for over one year and
I
I note to
I note to the member that the Commerce Commission
Commerce Commission is now considering whether or not it is
going to take any action against
the issue the member raises. I would
also note that I cannot direct the
Commerce Commission, sections
105 and 133 of the Crown
Entities Act prevent me from doing that
and as there is potentially
an there is potentially an
investigation under way I am unable
to comment
investigation under way I am unable
Order! Supplementary question. If video evidence of Ron Hoy
Fong telling people to put forward
fake bids and use fake names and boasting
about home owners being set up
is not enough for her to take
a stand on behalf of consumers as the
minister, then what would it
take for her to make a stand beyond
telling people to make
for her to make a stand beyond
I
I am always concerned when matters arise where
arise where potentially consumers have been misled or
deceived. However, I cannot direct the
Commerce Commission, the Crown
However, I cannot direct the Entities Act provides that
I should not do that and as there is aet
complaint under investigation,
I am not able to comment further.
Supplementary question. Is it
true that while she knows that
the highlighted practices are utterly
unethical, that she feels hamstrung
by her party's close association
with property speculators and
that she is just too afraid to speak up
for consumers who are being
Order! There is no ministerial responsibility for
responsibility for a political party's association.
responsibility for a political party's association. Supplementary.
Supplementary. Supplementary question. Has the minister asked
officials to undertake any
work to assess the scope of exploitation by
lors give that Mr Fong's activities have been going
on for at least three years and if
have been going on for at least
don't think we should reactively change laws based on
individual cases. The beauty of the
Fair Trading Act is that it encompasses
all misleading and
deceiving behaviour. However, I will be
watching this situation, as I do
with all consumer issues, and would
note that as there is
an investigation currently
note that as there is an considered by the Commerce
Commission, I'm not prepared
to make any further comment.
Commission, I'm not prepared to make any further comment. Labour
have used all their supplementaries
used all their supplementaries
today. Question number 11.
My
My question is to the Minister of
received regarding the eGate expansion
received regarding the eGate
Mr
Mr Speaker, I have been advised that 15 new EGates have been installed
and are now fully operational at
Auckland airport's arrivals
. I am delighted to know that the House is as enthusiastic about this
as I am. This brings the total
eGates installed nationwide to 50.
eGates installed nationwide to 50.