Fenton Darien: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
Fenton Darien: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
[Volume:637;Page:7367] 
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
: 
 Over the summer adjournment I was privileged to spend some time in the United Kingdom and Europe. Some very interesting things were going on there and it does give one a perspective on our country when one gets to visit large countries and see exactly what is going on. We actually have very few problems in this country although one would not think so to listen to some of the speeches over the last couple of days. But if one spends some time in London for example where terrorism is a constant threat one finds that people have their bags searched even when going into museums. One flies to an international airport where security arrangements are in one’s face the whole time. One realises then that New Zealand is indeed a unique and wonderful place to live and raise our families. 
I am sorry to tell Mr Key that his Burnside address and other antics did not make the news there so I have been trying to catch up a little bit since I got back. There were some interesting things going on; for example whether the leader of the Conservative Party David Cameron smoked marijuana during his Eton days. I think John Key had better be careful about modelling himself on him. But what was evident from the time I spent with parliamentarians from other countries and the various meetings I attended was that Helen Clark does make the news. She is held in very high regard and this little country at the bottom of the Pacific is highly regarded for its excellent governance and economic and social progress. We also come near the top of the indicators for our lack of corruption and as I said good governance. 
Bob Clarkson 
: Ha ha! 
DARIEN FENTON 
: Mr Clarkson should read the IMF report. Go and read it. 
The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday— 
Sue Moroney 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. The member Bob Clarkson just made an unparliamentary comment to Darien Fenton. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ann Hartley) 
: The member did accuse the member in an unparliamentary term. The member will withdraw that remark and apologise. 
Bob Clarkson 
: I have a problem here. I think I will have to leave the House because I tell the truth. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ann Hartley) 
: The member has been asked to withdraw and apologise. 
Bob Clarkson 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
DARIEN FENTON 
: The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday was inspirational. It was long on substance and short on slogans unlike the response from the Opposition. It is clear to me that over the summer Mr Key has been out there searching for ideas to try to convince New Zealanders that National has suddenly become a kind and caring party. Instead it has been an embarrassing blundering about among what he calls the underclass trying to arrange food for schools that do not want or need it and insulting proud communities. Yes life can be tough for these families and I am sure their lives can look particularly miserable in the eyes of a megamillionaire but to label families to denigrate their efforts to improve their lives and—worst of all—to pretend that this Government has done nothing to change the mess that his party made of our country the last time it was in Government is quite frankly astonishing. National members have been banging on—in fact the only thing I have heard in many of the speeches is about how the Prime Minister’s speech contained the word “sustainability” 33 times. 
Sue Moroney 
: They can count! 
DARIEN FENTON 
: Yes exactly. The only thing that that proves is National members have learnt how to count—at least up to 33. 
Sue Moroney 
: It took them 4 hours to work it out. 
DARIEN FENTON 
: That is right. 
Leadership in Government means dealing with some facts and I thought I would give members a few about the record of this Government. Under Labour 61000 children have been lifted out of poverty with a predicted reduction in child poverty of up to 70 percent through Working for Families. Incomes have increased in real terms for the poorest households. There has been a dramatic reduction in the cost of housing for people on low incomes. We have the lowest recorded unemployment since 1982 and the lowest in the OECD. We have had a reduction in long-term unemployment by 70 percent since 1999. We have the lowest crime rate in a generation. Kiwi students at both primary and secondary school levels are among the best in the OECD in reading mathematics and science. The cost of visiting a doctor has fallen by half. I remember when prescriptions were $15. What are they now? They are $3. 
We have 9171 Modern Apprenticeships; investment in workforce literacy numeracy and language skills; multiple increases in the minimum wage; better holidays; fairer employment laws; decent accident compensation; and the KiwiSaver scheme—and those are just a few of the achievements of this Government. This is a Government of substance unlike the Opposition of slogans. 
Hon Member 
: And action! 
DARIEN FENTON 
: And action; I thank the member. 
The Labour-led Government has long-term sustainable strategies for our economy society environment culture and way of life—strategies that must be driven by strong leadership and sound policies not sound bites and media stunts. The Prime Minister’s statement to Parliament outlined a vision for sustainability as part of our national identity. Her call to action on combating climate change and the very specific policy she spelt out lead the way among nations. 
Meanwhile the new co-leader of the National Party continues his flip-flops. Not long ago he was a climate change denier. A year and a half later he is a convert. In September 2004 he was telling the nation that National would make significant changes to industrial law. But 2 years later well he is the workers’ friend. He has changed his mind again. He is trying to pretend that the National Party now supports workers’ rights. But he was not known as the “smiling assassin” for nothing in his former life. He slashed the jobs of nearly 900 staff in Australia but at least he did it cheerfully. 
One of the obvious things about those who are not so well off is that we do need to lift wages because only higher wages can ensure that people have a decent life. I think it is good that that is something that this Parliament does agree upon—that wages are too low in New Zealand despite the fact that real gross national disposable income per capita has increased. It is fine to say that wages are too low but I want to know the specific steps that National will take to boost workers’ wages. 
David Bennett 
: Change the Government. 
DARIEN FENTON 
: And what will they do? Tell us what National’s policies are. What are the details? Tell us what they are. 
Sue Moroney 
: Opposing a minimum wage increase. That is what their policy is. 
DARIEN FENTON 
: Yes that is right. But hang on I forgot. The answer is tax cuts for the rich. That is the one policy National seems to be able to stick with. How about sitting down and figuring out some good ideas because that party seems to be completely devoid of them. 
Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.