1. Economy—Consumer Confidence and GrowthKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSEconomy—Consumer Confidence and Growth1. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the economy ahead of Thursday's Budget announcement?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): Last week the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index came out. It rose 2.2 points to 123.9 in May. It shows that consumers are now more confident in their personal financial positions than at any time since the global financial crisis. This matches the upbeat mood of New Zealand businesses with a net 38 percent of firms in the ANZ Business Outlook reporting that they expect better times ahead. Both these positive readings are a testament to a strong economic plan which is delivering confidence and growth.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What factors underpin this rise in consumer sentiment?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: There are a number of factors underpinning the positive outlook including strong job growth and falling unemployment. According to the most recent household labour force survey the employment rate in New Zealand is at a record high of 67.1 percent while the unemployment rate is at 4.9 percent. At the same time New Zealand households expect inflation and house prices to remain subdued.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: How does the Government plan to ensure economic growth continues?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: One of the Government's main priorities is to maintain its strong economic plan to keep the economy growing. We continue to deliver on this with responsible fiscal and economic management including a series of microeconomic reforms. Budget 2017 will be a further step in that direction. The Government has already announced significant investments—for example in tourism infrastructure R & D grants to encourage business innovation and in the creative industries through the screen grants programme. It is only by having a strong economy that we have the opportunity to invest in other areas.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Since the Minister of Finance places such great store on the Roy Morgan poll can he confirm that the only seriously trusted politician in that poll in this House is yours truly?Mr SPEAKER: Well I think there is very marginal ministerial responsibility but I will let the Minister have a go.Hon STEVEN JOYCE: With the greatest respect to the member I suggest that the words Winston Peters" and "trusted politician" are a contradiction in terms.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: How important are international trade links to New Zealand's economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: As a small open country we must trade our way in the world. Securing trade agreements with other nations is vital to keeping the door open so New Zealand businesses can trade with larger markets. That is why it is very encouraging to see 11 countries including Japan remain very committed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. This is a high quality set of rules that will increase market access for our exporters across the Asia-Pacific region with positive flow-ons for our wider economy. Trade is an important part of the Government's economic plan."