Donnelly Brian: Budget Debate 
Donnelly Brian: Budget Debate 
[Volume:639;Page:9529] 
Hon BRIAN DONNELLY (NZ First) 
: 
 The one thing that can be said for this Budget is that it was no lolly scramble. If we look at education for example we do not find dollops of money distributed across a range of causes to placate a multitude of lobby groups. There is money for school buildings which have to be built anyway money to move staffing in year one to an already committed pledge of a 1:15 teacher-student ratio and money to ease pressures that can no longer be denied in the levels of operational funding for schools—all inevitable all just maintenance of the system. Where there has been considerable annual expenditure has been at the tertiary level—$129 million extra over 4 years for the university sector to support current reforms and for the university tripartite forum to build capacity; industry training providers industry training organisations and wananga get an additional $37 million of operating funding over 4 years and $90 million more for— 
Darren Hughes 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I am not sure whether there is a Standing Order requirement for there to be at least one member of the National Party in the House while we are debating the Budget. I know there is sensitivity in that they voted against a corporate tax cut last week but to have not one member present does seem a little odd. There is a requirement for Government members to be present and we are—a Minister has to be present—but does there have to be— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ann Hartley) 
: No there is not a requirement. 
Hon BRIAN DONNELLY 
: As I say there is $90 million more for capital funding over 2 years. But the expenditure is all about establishing a framework for the future of tertiary education and that is what this Budget is about. It is about establishing a framework for the future. Nowhere is this more clearly defined than in Vote Foreign Affairs where New Zealand First has established a very large and very indelible footprint. When the party was established in 1993 its purposes were enshrined in 15 fundamental principles one of which included the following statement: “New Zealand foreign aid will focus on the region in which we live.” As a reflection of that principle our manifesto at the last election stated that New Zealand First will make the Pacific its major focus of attention and will review the level of overseas development assistance and ensure that it is focused on facilitating priority projects and the alleviation of poverty particularly in the South Pacific region. 
 As opportunities have arisen New Zealand First over time has delivered in health and education and in law and order to the elderly but this is the first opportunity that enables us to meet our longstanding commitment on aid. And oh has our leader the Rt Hon Winston Peters delivered in this case! There is a 20.2 percent increase in overseas development assistance. I will say that again—a 20.2 percent increase. 
The Christchurch  
Press  
has never been particularly kind to New Zealand First but this is what its editor had to say: “Winston Peters has enhanced his reputation with the announcement that New Zealand is to increase its foreign aid by $70 million over the next four years. … it was unlikely the Government would have moved so substantially on the aid budget were it not for Peters’ advocacy. The resulting boost demonstrates his growing authority as foreign minister.” 
Investment in our future through aid programmes just like any other investment has to be well-placed and it is true to say that in the past our investments have been spread too thinly to get a real bang for our bucks. By focusing on the Asia-Pacific region and particularly on the Pacific we are able to punch way above our weight. The Pacific is our natural sphere of influence—firstly because of our location and secondly because of the composition of our population. The Pacific the largest region in the world I might add is made up largely of small newly independent nations and some of these nations struggle to provide just rudimentary services. There are certainly no surpluses in their coffers to fund capital development in order to provide such fundamentals as clean water let alone health education and transport infrastructure. 
Those whose only experience of the Pacific Islands is a luxury resort do not know the daily struggle of the people in the villages where even quenching one’s thirst is a lottery with disease and death. I well remember visiting a health clinic in the Solomons which treated children affected with a waterborne disease that turned them into rag dolls with no semblance of life other than their breathing. As I held an 18-month-old youngster’s hand as she lay limp in her mother’s arms I looked into those black black eyes and I swear there was a flash of recognition. It was a sad but magical moment as humanity bridged a divide. The clinic was made of bush materials and the massage treatment was carried out on a pandanus mat on the floor. 
New Zealanders because of the people we are will gladly say: “I don’t mind helping those kids. I don’t mind cleaning up the water supplies in their villages so that other kids don’t get that disease.” Is there any wonder that Pacific Island Governments turn to whom they can for support in developing infrastructure and is there any wonder that emerging superpowers are increasingly viewing Pacific nations as a means to their own ends. Winston Peters is thinking 20 years 50 years ahead into New Zealand’s future. This Budget is setting a framework for the future and no more so than in Vote Foreign Affairs which will significantly move us from our embarrassing position of spending 0.27 percent of gross national income on aid to the recommended target of 0.7 percent. I conclude by saying that the credit for this must go to New Zealand First and in particular to its leader Winston Peters.