SpeechDEBATE ON PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENTDebate resumed from 23 February.STEPH LEWIS (Labour—Whanganui): Thank you Mr Speaker for the opportunity to continue my contribution in support of the Prime Minister's statement. Before I begin though I do want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the passing of the Hon Chester Borrows former MP for Whanganui between 2005 and 2017. Chester was one of those people MPs who is respected and admired by MPs right across this House and especially by our communities in Whanganui and Taranaki. I also want to acknowledge the passing of Lyndsay Patterson who was a renowned glass artist in Whanganui. His passing has been keenly felt by our arts communities. When I started this speech last week before recess I was talking about the support that our Government has provided our primary producers who've been impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. At that time our total support amounted to $29 million. Since then however I think it's important to note that the total package is now $55 million to support our primary producers to rebuild and recover. That means that about $17.4 million has already been paid out to the over 2800 applications that we've received for support. We know that more is needed and MPs on the ground like my colleagues Anna Lorck Stu Nash Meka Whaitiri—they're all providing feedback from the affected communities. I also began to talk about the support that we're providing our families from 1 April. We've extended the fuel excise tax and road-user subsidies through to the end of June and I know that this makes a huge impact on our families in the community. I recently rode The Tide bus a new bus service in Whanganui which cost me $1.20 thanks to Government subsidies to get from the suburb of Gonville all the way into town. It's initiatives like this that are having a huge impact on our families and individuals—being able to get into town and participate in their communities through challenging times. We're also increasing Best Start. At the same time 54 percent of families with children will become eligible for additional subsidies for early childhood education. We're increasing superannuation and benefits: 1.2 million adults are going to receive an increase to the winter energy payment and I've heard from many across my electorate how much of an impact that's going to have on them. So we are here for those people who are finding it tough during these challenging times. Our Government continues to be focused on those bread and butter issues that all Kiwis care about. We are committed to helping everyone through these challenging times and I'm proud of the work that we are doing to support Kiwis. One more thing I'd like to note is the reinstatement of the Training Incentive Allowance and how that has exceeded expectations—a 600 percent increase in those applying to receive support through the Training Incentive Allowance. And I'll never forget a young mum I spoke to on the doorstep during 2020 who said to me how much of a difference that that was going to make in her life to be able to build a better future for her and her children. So that is incredible support that people in my electorate are so grateful to receive. We've also supported almost 55000 people through trades training and through the Apprenticeship Boost scheme. Our Mana in Mahi programme has supported over 5000 job seekers into jobs which has well exceeded our target and hopes of 4000. As I said these are challenging times but we are really focused on those bread and butter issues that we hear time and time again on the doorsteps that New Zealanders care about; that includes our families and our primary producers. Thank you very much Mr Speaker.