2. Question No. 2—Prime MinisterNICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Acting Prime MinisterQuestion No. 2—Prime Minister2. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Acting Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Acting Prime Minister): Yes. In particular I stand by the support package for growers farmers and businesses affected by North Island weather events that the Minister for Cyclone Recovery has just outlined to the House. This package was developed with primary producers and will provide relief to key growers farmers and businesses and help their regions continue to recover.Nicola Willis: Is she concerned that New Zealanders with a car will be paying around $15 more every time they fill up at the pump after her Government rips off the fuel tax band-aid this weekend?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We were really concerned earlier last year when fuel nearly reached $3 per litre. We knew that at that time we needed to put that subsidy in place but we knew that it wasn't going to last for ever. A little bit relieved that of course petrol prices have come down since then. That doesn't necessarily provide all the relief that those families need to feel given that there will be a slight increase this week but what they should know is that on 1 July many of the initiatives that we announced at Budget 2023 will come into effect. Public transport will be cheaper—or free for some—early childhood education costs will reduce for many; the co-payment of prescriptions will come off for all New Zealanders. That is our attempt at Budget 2023 to support whānau through what is a very tough time right now.Nicola Willis: Was the Prime Minister correct in February when he said of the fuel tax subsidy extension Right here and right now the increase in fuel costs is putting a significant amount of pressure on families" and if so what's changed?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Yes Mr Speaker.Nicola Willis: Why is every solution this Government has come up with to deal with the cost of living crisis nothing more than a temporary band-aid that inevitably creates more pain when the Government rips it off?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The 1 July changes that are coming into effect certainly aren't temporary band-aids. We have said that the co-payment will be removed and that's not temporary. The changes and access to childcare and the support for childcare costs is not temporary. The fact that those on the sole parent benefit will now get child support pass-on is not temporary—but it is a reminder to the rest of New Zealand that those things are only guaranteed under this Government and I think we need to make sure that the general public know that.Nicola Willis: Does she stand by her statement on Tuesday that "We are in the fortunate position of our economy now doing better than what it was during pre-COVID times." considering New Zealanders today are facing higher inflation higher rents higher food prices higher house prices and lower growth compared to pre-COVID levels; and if she does stand by her statement what is it in terms of the economy that's gotten better?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: To the first part of the question yes.Nicola Willis: What is it that's gotten better?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As I said our economy is now better than what it was pre-COVID; our unemployment rate is still at near-record lows at 3.4 percent. That doesn't mean that New Zealanders aren't doing it tough at the moment: everyone is internationally because of global inflation increases and the impact that it's having on the cost of living. That is why we introduced the changes at Budget 2023 that we did and we stand by those changes.Nicola Willis: Point of order Mr Speaker. I've had a couple of supps; that one was very specific. What's gotten better in terms of the economy?SPEAKER: It was addressed. Have you got another question?Nicola Willis: Yes. Why is New Zealand in recession and Australia isn't?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: That member needs to look at the annual figure. It was two quarters where we did see a slight recession but what is good is that the forecast is that in the next quarter it will go up and we will be watching that very carefully.Nicola Willis: Why does Australia have lower inflation than New Zealand and why is the Acting Prime Minister gaslighting New Zealanders by telling them they should be relieved and grateful for this Government's failed economic management?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We would never gaslight New Zealanders."