1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterCHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Acting Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Acting Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Acting Prime Minister): Yes in particular I stand by two reports that highlight positive outcomes from this Government's policies. A Ministry of Social Development report released on Monday shows that total real after-housing incomes are 48 percent higher than at the end of 2017 for those receiving a main benefit. This Government's Families Package benefit increases and changes to Working for Families have made a vital difference in the lives of low-income people and whānau. Statistics New Zealand's employment indicators for May 2023 released today shows that despite economic headwinds seasonally adjusted employment has continued to increase by over 5000 filled jobs. We know there is more to do but reports such as these show we're on the right track and are making progress. Christopher Luxon: Would an asset tax or a capital gains tax be good or bad for an economy already in recession?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We have no plans to introduce either of those things.Christopher Luxon: Point of order Mr Speaker. It was a clear question. It wasn't political; it was principled about are these taxes good or bad in a time of recession?SPEAKER: The Acting Prime Minister definitely has addressed the question that's the main point. It's a hypothetical situation. The member does not have to subscribe to the hypothesis of the question.Christopher Luxon: Wouldn't an asset tax or a capital gains tax push investment out of New Zealand deepening the recession we're already in?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The member is asking a question with the underlying premise that we are planning on introducing one or both of those things and we're not.Christopher Luxon: Does she agree with the previous Prime Minister that they were unable to build a mandate for a capital gains tax" and will she rule out introducing an asset tax or a capital gains tax?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: To the first part of the question yes.Christopher Luxon: And will she rule out an asset tax?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As I've already said we have no plans to introduce such a tax.Christopher Luxon: Will her Government bring back the tax on KiwiSaver fees?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We have no plans with regards to taxes at this point in time and so I can't respond to what might happen three five 10 years from now. But we certainly have no plans to do such a thing.Christopher Luxon: So she's saying that a tax on KiwiSaver accounts is firmly on the table?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: What I'm saying is that we currently have not announced a tax policy.Christopher Luxon: So how can Kiwis have confidence to invest in the future when instead of putting together a real economic plan her Ministers are now designing new taxes in secret and won't tell the country what they are?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I really don't understand where that question even came from. I made no such inference and the question therefore makes no sense.Christopher Luxon: So just to be clear will she rule out introducing an asset tax or a capital gains tax while in Government?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think I've made myself really clear. We have no such plans to do either of those things."