4. Question No. 4—FinanceANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. ANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato) to the Minister of Finance: How many businesses have closed as a result of the 71 days Auckland has been in lockdown and does he believe that his enhanced business support package announced on 22 October 2021 will avoid further business closures prior to Auckland moving to the new COVID19 Protection Framework?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Information on company closures is not collected in the form that the member requests; however using the Companies Office's data on liquidations in the period leading up to 24 October 2021 liquidations have not been materially more than in 2020 or 2019. There were 34 company liquidations last week compared to 28 for the same week the last year and over the period from 17 August until 24 October liquidations have been roughly equal to the same period as in 2020. But the loss of businesses and jobs anywhere in the country amid COVID is a cause of concern. That's why the Government has provided around $4.8 billion in economic support to protect jobs and livelihoods so far with Auckland receiving an increasing share of that to recognise the extended restrictions that the region has been under.In response to the second part of the member's question the enhanced business support package we announced as part of the move to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework recognises that it has been tough for those in Auckland. While the exact impact of the additional support cannot yet be quantified it has been roundly welcomed by Auckland businesses and their representatives.Andrew Bayly: How does he respond to Tourism Export Council of New Zealand chief executive Lynda Keene who said that the Government's plan announced on Friday is utterly confusing and underwhelming"?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Obviously I don't accept those claims. What we have is a plan that New Zealanders can get behind to get us to a 90 percent vaccination rate in every DHB—a clear set of guidelines for businesses as to how they'll be able to operate at all three levels of the framework. That kind of clarity and certainty is welcomed as opposed to the shambles in the Opposition.Andrew Bayly: Why can't struggling businesses apply for the increased Resurgence Support Payment as part of the applications that open this Friday instead of having to wait until 12 November?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We covered this ground yesterday.Andrew Bayly: But you didn't answer it.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No we covered this ground yesterday for the member. There is an application set to go on 29 October. We then make the system changes that enable the fortnightly payment on 12 November. It is the equivalent of a weekly payment of the Resurgence Support Payment and I would note something that has been welcomed by businesses and their representatives in Auckland.Andrew Bayly: Why didn't his package allow retail businesses with double vaccinated staff to open immediately to allow double vaccinated customers?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well the plan very clearly outlines the way in which retail businesses can reopen at the different levels of the framework. The member will also be aware that as part of the step down that was announced earlier in the month that there is the ability for retail to open at the second part of that step down. We didn't propose to change that. We're moving forward on the basis of what has already been outlined.Andrew Bayly: Wouldn't the best thing for the country be to allow the 1 million fully vaccinated Aucklanders to get back to work rather than continue to pay out billions of dollars in support payments until who knows how long?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The best thing for the country is to stick to the plan and it's the plan that has served New Zealanders incredibly well over the last 20 months. It's the plan that's seen us with unemployment down at 4 percent with an economy growing better than most other countries in the OECD with a level of debt lower than most other countries in the OECD and at the same time protecting lives with one of the lowest mortality rates. We've stuck to the plan on this side of the House.Hon Stuart Nash: Is it true that as part of the business support package that you're going to make $50 million available to around 10000 small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to have $3000 worth of business support and around 7500 SMEs $4000 to implement that advice?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That is indeed correct. The business advice package to be delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network programme is something that was asked for by businesses in Auckland and the Government responded to that. I'd also note that alongside that in part as a result of the advocacy of the member who asked the question there is $10 million available in terms of mental health support for SMEs which we know is an important issue. Altogether that is a package that has been welcomed by people across the board including the Employers and Manufacturers Association and the Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce who said that the Government had listened. That is what we're doing on this side of the House."