Auchinvole Chris: Imprest Supply DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAuchinvole Chris: Imprest Supply Debate[Sitting date: 06 August 2013. Volume:692;Page:12392. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Third ReadingCHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National):My hesitation was because I understood—I am sorry—that there was to be a further Green speaker but in that absence I am more than happy to fill that gap.I recall attending a presentation by a Governor of the Reserve Bank in Greymouth—I think it was in about 2003—and the governor spoke of economic challenges. I remember that he was asked to describe or quantify what a challenge was exactly and he responded that it was any economic activity or event that impacted on the normal state of the economy. He was then asked in true West Coast interrogative style to describe what the normal state of an economy is or was. His response was that the economy was in a normal state when all of the elements were typically in balance. He was then asked if that ever occurred or was it a mythical concept or was it a bit like the typical summer we all remember as occurring during our childhood that never occurs nowadays. He thought for a while and then agreed that it was in fact like the typical summer that we all remember for an economy to be in a normal state.Well what a series of challenging economic events this Government has had to deal with. New Zealand businesses families and individuals have all faced the effects—the buffeting effects—of the global financial crisis the devastating Christchurch earthquake and continuing global uncertainty. Each of those things on their own would have had an enormous impact on the economy. Any of these things individually could have had a calamitous result when one considers the fragile and failing state of theeconomy this Government was given handed to manage as Labour left the Treasury benches.It would have been easy and understandable if New Zealand had spiralled downwards like other economies through the developed world did. There was however a further event that occurred during the same period that was to have a major impact on how the economy behaved and that was the election of a National-led Government under the prime ministership of the Rt Hon John Key with the Hon Bill English as the Minister of Finance and a very strong and professional committed grouping of Cabinet Ministers.History has continued to play out since that event from the Prime Minister’s commitment to look after everybody and create a brighter future for New Zealand to embarking on a programme to build momentum in the economy. Budget 2013 is a momentum-building Budget. The Budget confirms that New Zealand is on the right track with forecasts of economic growth an increase in jobs rising wages and a return to surplus by 2014-15. There is a firm commitment to having a Government focus on four main priorities: responsibly managing the Government’s books building a more competitive and productive economy delivering better public services and rebuilding Christchurch. National is building towards having a stronger more stable economy that can weather global economic storms and deliver opportunities higher incomes and more jobs for New Zealanders. Budget 2013 continues our work to build a brighter future for Kiwi families.I think everyone realises because the wonderful thing about Parliament is that we all come from different parts of the country that the challenges have spread through the country at a different rate with different periods of effect and at different times have affected different regions. On the West Coast and in Tasman the area that I live in the ripples of the Christchurch earthquake were not restricted to that fair city. Indeed I think it would be fair to say that they were felt throughout the South Island and indeed into the North Island as well. But our second-largest city in the country is in fact a tertiary centre for the whole of the South Island and its recovery is crucial to all families who live and earn a living in the south and we are very very cognisant of that.The work that has been done—and I had the privilege of chairing the committee that set up the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority or reported to the Government on the establishment of that authority and from then on the energy that has poured into Christchurch has been fantastic. We very much are in step with the people who are living out their family lives in that city as it changes and continues to change.The Coast economy held up very well with very high household incomes prior to the economic storm gripping the mining industry and then the dairying sector suffering its first drought on record. The closure of a major employer in Westport although not unexpected—and put off for a further 2 years—has come eventually at a cruel time for the families concerned. The trick however while one is weathering the difficult times is to recognise that the right hands are on the tiller in Government. Things are improving and will continue to do so.Let us look at some of those focus points that we are talking about. There are additional measures to build a more competitive and productive economy. ACC levy cuts will leave another $300 million in the economy for businesses and households in 2014-15 increasing to around $1 billion next year. In the West Coast - Tasman although we do have an extremely large employer in the form of Talley’s and in the form of the major coalminers most of our businesses are small and most are family businesses. ACC cuts will be something that really will make a difference.We have allocated $1.5 billion of proceeds from the successful Mighty River Power share offer to Christchurch hospitals irrigation infrastructure upgrading schools andthe KiwiRail Turnaround Plan. Although I am not trying to be selfish about these things other South Islanders will recognise the significance of those events to people who live down there. The railway is a very important part of our lives. Christchurch Hospital is as I have already said a tertiary centre for the rest of the South Island irrigation infrastructure will increase opportunities for more productive farming throughout Canterbury and I think the schools upgrade will probably be of greater benefit to Christchurch than to anywhere else.Dr Megan Woods: Really? Thanks for reminding us of that.CHRIS AUCHINVOLE: The member across the House is agreeing with everything I say which is nice to see. But yes it is good that we will have those opportunities for development in the South Island. Gosh they deserve it.Meridian will be the next company prepared for a partial share sale to New Zealand investors later this year. Let us hope that we do not see the sorts of spoiler tactics that we saw last time which almost—almost—sort of reached the stage of being malicious I think in the Kiwi mind. They almost reached the stage of being malicious. So that money will then be available for vital infrastructure without further increasing our debt.Legislation to improve housing affordability has been frequently spoken of here. There is a memorandum of understanding with the Reserve Bank Governor confirming a range of measures if needed to protect the economy from periods of excesses and growth in credit and housing prices reduce reliance on unstable sources of funding and require banks and other financial institutions to better manage their own risks.It is significant that I began by speaking about the Reserve Bank Governor and coming to the end of the speech that I am ending with the same thing because it is about the stability of New Zealand’s economy. This Budget does a lot to help it. There was talk this morning on the radio about what would happen if there was a change of Government. I would just like to close with a comment from my Labour neighbours whom I have a lot of fun with especially in the duck-shooting season and that sort of thing. We were having a chat one day and they said: “Oh well if the court case works you could be without one of your MPs and that would mean that you would lose your majority. What are you going to do then?”. I said: “Well I guess what would happen then is there could easily be an election and then you guys could get in and you could form a Government with the Green Party.” Their response was immediate spontaneous and honest. They said: “To hell with that.” I said: “But they’re your guys.” They said: “We’re not ready and we don’t want to be with them.” This is the voter. I can only conclude by putting it the way they put it to me: “We need a strong Government. We need a firm Government. We might not like you very much as National but that’s what you are giving us.” And that is what we will continue to get. Thank you.