Yang Jian: Supplementary Estimates — Imprest Supply Debate 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Yang Jian: Supplementary Estimates — Imprest Supply Debate 
[Sitting date: 26 June 2012. Volume:681;Page:3400. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr JIAN YANG (National) 
: 
 It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to speak on the Appropriation (2011/12 Supplementary Estimates) Bill and the Imprest Supply (First for 2012/13) Bill. I would like to focus on National’s responsible management of the economy and on our goal of returning the Government’s books to surplus by 2014-15. Just over a month ago the Hon Bill English delivered his fourth Budget which outlined National’s platform for growth and for building a more competitive New Zealand economy while delivering on better services for New Zealanders. Despite facing ongoing global financial uncertainties and the aftermath of the tragic Christchurch earthquake National has managed the Government’s finances responsibly without having to borrow more and we have delivered and will continue to deliver on better public services to New Zealanders. In these unsettled times National can be trusted not to follow our European counterparts in bringing the country to its knees by continuing a legacy of debt-fuelled excesses. Greece as we all know is on the brink of economic disaster with Spain following closely behind. The creditworthiness of 28 Spanish banks was downgraded recently. A “buy now and pay later” ethos has been the driving force for so many in recent times and the end result has been catastrophic. Instead we would do well to adopt the “save now spend later” philosophy of our Asian neighbours.  
This outlook is one of the reasons why countries such as China have been growing and have been doing so well economically. China has grown to be the world’s second-largest economy and a force to be reckoned with. China is still generating economic growth and is inevitably the country that New Zealand should focus on. Our trade with China has been growing rapidly. In 2009 our trade grew by 8 percent in 2010 by 16 percent and in 2011 by 15 percent. We are well positioned to reach the goal of doubling our trade with China to $20 billion in 2015 which will benefit all New Zealanders. 
We should embrace and regard our Asian neighbours’ success as being beneficial to New Zealand. Not only has China become our second-largest trading partner but also it is our fastest-growing source for tourism. Tourism is one of New Zealand’s largest export-earning industries and employs one in 20 people in the country. Recent figures show that the number of visitors from China in the year ended May 2012 increased by 32.3 percent. The spending by Chinese visitors in the year ended March 2012 increased by 20.1 percent. This spending is a gain for New Zealand’s economy. I understand that Tourism New Zealand has a comprehensive strategy to further develop the China market. 
As a member of the Health Committee I would like to speak about National’s success in developing a better sooner public health service. Despite difficult financial conditions protecting and investing in better front-line health services is a priority for the National Government. Announced in Budget 2012 was National’s commitment of almost $1.5 billion extra over 4 years for our public health service. This will bring our spending on the health service to $14.1 billion in 2012-13. This will help deliver better operations and shorter waiting times. It will also help to continue the significant improvements under National that have seen record successes for emergency departments treating patients faster record numbers of children immunised record numbers of smokers quitting shorter waits for cancer treatment and more doctors and nurses working in our public health system. Again this has not been possible without the responsible fiscal management by National. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I apologise to the member but is there any chance of talking to the people who are doing the volume? I think something has gone wrong with the sound system and it is much louder than it normally is. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: I think they have probably picked up your message and will make any modification necessary. 
Dr JIAN YANG 
: National must be commended for doing its very best in guiding New Zealand through uncertainty despite the tight economic conditions. We also have to address the previous Labour Government’s legacy of mismanagement. This included giving expensive handouts and encouraging a culture of welfare dependency. For example National has to mop up Labour’s mess in chasing the repayment of student loans. National is working hard to recover debts of $2.6 billion of which $409 million is overdue from overseas-based borrowers. Our scheme introduced in October 2010 and which targets 1000 Australia-based borrowers has netted $20 million with a further $2.9 million under payment arrangements. This scheme has now extended to 57000 borrowers in Australia and the United Kingdom over the next 2½ years and is a priority for National. 
National is being realistic given the tough global economic conditions. It is so easy for the Opposition parties to say that we are not doing enough. They lack credibility on growth jobs and responsible fiscal management. Their alternative is to return to the “buy now pay later” ethos which I spoke about earlier and which has been the bugbear of many European countries. The world is paying the price as country after country in Europe is at risk of toppling like dominoes. National instead should be commended for policies that will help steer New Zealand through tough economic times getting our books back into surplus by 2014-15 creating new jobs and delivering better public services for New Zealanders. 
What more approval can you get to support the fact that National is on the right track to getting us back to surplus than the International Monetary Fund June report that said: “The planned deficit reduction path strikes a balance between the need to contain both public and external debt increases while limiting any adverse impact on economic growth during the recovery. The authorities’ plan to return to budget surplus by 2014/15 should put New Zealand in a better position to deal with future shocks and the long-term costs of aging. Moreover it will relieve pressure on monetary policy and thereby the exchange rate helping contain the current account deficit over the medium term.” 
The National-led Government is continuing to do the right things. Our strong economic growth agenda disciplined spending responsible fiscal management our sound economic and financial institutions our in-demand products—particularly by Asia—and the Christchurch rebuilding stimulus are all factors that will support New Zealand’s resilience and give New Zealanders a brighter future. I commend the legislation. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: Before I call the member this is the last speech in a time-limited debate. You have got about 9 minutes. I will give you a 2-minute bell.