3. Question No. 3—Prime MinisterDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3—Prime Minister3. DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and policies?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Acting Prime Minister): Yes in particular the Government's action that has helped more people move off the main benefit. September quarter benefit statistics released last week show that the number of people receiving a main benefit continues to fall year on year. The Government has been relentless and deliberate in supporting more people into meaningful employment education and training. There are now 13731 fewer people on a main benefit compared to September 2021 and the number of people receiving a job seeker work-ready benefit also continues to fall. With more people moving off the benefit and into work unemployment at a near record low of 3.3 percent and incomes growing at a higher rate than since records began it's clear that while there is more work to do our plan is working.David Seymour: Does the Acting Prime Minister stand by his statement earlier in question time today New Zealand is as well placed as any country in what is a challenging global environment."; and if he does stand by that statement why does he suppose New Zealand lost a net 10000 migrants for the last two years in a row compared with gaining a net 30000 a year on average for the previous two decades?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: With respect to the first part of the question I do stand by my statement. With respect to the second part of the question I know the member would like to wish COVID away. Unfortunately when you're in Government you can't do that. We have got our immigration reset in process we are seeing more people come into New Zealand and we are filling the skill gaps that we need to.David Seymour: Point of order. I just ask I've heard members particularly from Labour shouting over the answer. Now you've ruled that the Minister might not have to answer as fully in that circumstance. But I just ask you to reflect on the fact that it's very unfair on the diligent and conscientious members of the ACT Party who would like to hear the answer.Dr Duncan Webb: Which one?SPEAKER: Yeah I'm going to hear the end of this and remind me to come back to you Dr Webb. Have you finished?David Seymour: Yes Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: No I quite agree with you; that shouldn't happen. Members on the Government side should be aware of that—that when a question is being answered and there are no interjections coming from the ACT Party in this case then be careful that you don't drown out the answer. Dr Webb stand withdraw and apologise.Dr Duncan Webb: I withdraw and apologise.SPEAKER: I'll give you an extra supplementary question.David Seymour: Thank you very much Mr Speaker. Is the Acting Prime Minister aware that the COVID pandemic being a pandemic was global and therefore it's not a very good answer to suggest New Zealand is losing people because COVID happened here when it happened in the countries the people are leaving to as well?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I'm glad the member has given me the opportunity to reflect on New Zealand's COVID response. It is true that New Zealand's COVID response included the shutting down of our borders in a way that other countries didn't do. That decision saved thousands of lives Mr Seymour and I stand by it.David Seymour: Why does the Acting Prime Minister believe that twice as many New Zealanders are now telling pollsters such as Curia that this country is going in the wrong direction by a ratio of two to one; and does he think that those New Zealanders are just wrong and missed the memo on how well the Government's doing?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I know that many New Zealanders and many New Zealand households are finding things tough at the moment because we are living through significant cost of living pressures. That's why on this side of the House we've invested to lift the incomes of those on benefits of our seniors our family tax credits through Working for Families the minimum wage increases and all of the support that we've given to businesses as well. The member might not appreciate that support. He might not have voted for that support but on this side of the House we understand it is tough for many households.David Seymour: Does the Acting Prime Minister think that daily reports of daylight robbery and violence in the street make it more attractive or less attractive for people to come to and remain in New Zealand?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: None of us like to see reports of crime taking place in New Zealand. We have seen as Minister Hipkins and others have addressed in this House spikes in youth crime. Police are being resourced to be able to deal with that. We now have at least 1500 more front-line police than we had when we came into office—again these are initiatives that have been opposed by the member's party.David Seymour: Does the Acting Prime Minister think that increasing taxes by $22 billion or 25 percent in the last three years—$7800 extra tax per worker—has made it more or less attractive to stay in New Zealand; and if less attractive when will this Government let people keep some more of their own money?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: When we look at the OECD's definition of the tax wedge which looks at the overall impact of tax which is paid by New Zealanders I think we're about 36th out of 38 when it comes to the OECD in terms of that rating. On this side of the House we understand that it's a balance between making sure that we tax New Zealanders fairly and we've got the resources to pay for our health system and an education system and to invest in housing. It might be very very simple in the member's world but getting that balance right is difficult and tricky and I think the Government has done a good job of finding it.David Seymour: Does the Acting Prime Minister truly believe his Government is doing its best and if so should we just accept rising prices rising taxes rising crime and more and more people voting with their feet and leaving some going as far as Antarctica?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What I do accept is that New Zealanders have worked extremely hard over the last couple of years to put us in a position where we have 3.3 percent unemployment one of the lowest in the OECD; one of the lowest levels of public debt in the OECD; an economy that's nearly 5 percent larger than what it was before COVID came along; where we've lifted 66000 children out of poverty; where we've lifted the minimum wage to make sure our lowest income people are supported. This has not been easy. There have not been any costless decisions but this Government is proud of what we've done to support New Zealanders."