Parmar Parmjeet: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParmar Parmjeet: General Debate[Sitting date: 24 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4720. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National): That speech has definitely proved that it is that side that is the “no” party. This side believes in yes. It is under this National Government under the leadership of the Rt Hon John Key that our economy is growing wages are rising there are more jobs out there inflation is negligible and interest rates are staying lower for longer. This shows that our plan is working and that we are sticking to a plan that is working.This National Government is a very efficient and fair Government. For example our tax system is fair to all. We believe in a low-rate tax system that responds to our needs in a planned manner. We believe in rewarding people for their hard work not punishing people for their hard work. We believe in low compliance and administrative costs. It is this National Government that is working hard to minimise tax avoidance and evasion opportunities. Since 2008 it is this National Government that has given a reduction in the personal tax rate and a reduction in the company tax rate and it is this National Government that has just announced firm rules around property taxes.This has been possible because we have a plan that is working. We want to keep our taxes to the minimum and that is why we rejected Labour’s capital gains tax idea. Yes we rejected the capital gains tax idea which was Labour’s idea. This is with the target of getting our net debt below 20 percent of GDP by 2020—net debt below 20 percent of GDP by 2020. This is without putting any extra burden on taxpayers. Again this has been possible because we have a plan that is working.It is under this National Government that the number of people who are under the age of 20 and who are not in any employment and who are not in any training or education is the lowest since 2004. Yes the lowest since 2004. Is it not a great achievement of this National Government? Yes it is a great achievement of this National Government. This National Government is working hard to reduce welfare dependency. We are working hard to uplift skills in our people. We are working hard to reduce crime and we are working hard to improve interaction with Government. By working in these areas we are getting better outcomes for our people.When you talk to people what do they want? They want firstly good educations for their children and they are getting that under this National Government. They want jobs. Yes they are getting jobs because there are more jobs being created under this National Government. And the next thing they want is to be safe and that is another great achievement of this National Government because under this National Government crime is the lowest since 1978. Yes and this has been possible because this National Government is hard on crime. This National Government is hard on criminals. We have more cops on roads. Yes we have more cops on roads because we have provided them with modern-day technology: smartphones and tablets. So instead of sitting in their offices they are on roads. Each cop is saving 30 minutes of their office time and that equals 354 additional cops on roads. That equals half a million hours of cops on roads New Zealand - wide per annum and that is how we have the lowest crime since 1978 under this National Government.Our justice system is focused on the rights of victims. New Zealand families deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities and our strategy is working. Our approach is working. Our plan is working and that is why in Budget 2015 $218.6 million was allocated to do that and $40 million was allocated to improve services and efficiencies in targeted areas in justice and courts. By investing in these agencies we are getting better outcomes for New Zealand families.Our money that is allocated for the Serious Fraud Office shows that we are really serious about our international reputation because New Zealand is known as a safe place to do business and invest. This National Government takes any kind of misuse very seriously. This National Government has already saved $60 million of taxpayers’ money since we started the national benefit fraud reform initiative over 2 years ago. Yes $60 million of taxpayers’ money was saved by this National Government. There are 9500 people off benefits because they were on because of benefit fraud. They are off benefits. There are 9500 people off benefits. Thank you.