King Colin: General Debate 
King Colin: General Debate 
[Volume:676;Page:21515] 
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
: 
 There is a saying that is very appropriate today for the All Blacks as well as a John Key - led Government at this time leading up to not only the finals of the Rugby World Cup but also the general election at the end of November. That saying is: “When the going gets tough the tough keep going.” and “keep going” certainly describes the actions of this Government. On this side of the House we say that we should celebrate that. Just like that dazzling move and perfect timing of the pass between Piri Weepu and Cory Jane on Saturday night that resulted in a seven-pointer to the All Blacks so too have the policies of John Key and the Government worked well and treated this country to a very positive future during what other members of the globe would call a global financial meltdown. 
Today more than ever New Zealanders are confident that we are building towards a brighter future a future that all New Zealanders clamour for. We on this side of the House believe that that is worth celebrating. Also similar to last Saturday night’s pool match between the All Blacks and the French is the outstanding performance of this Government led by John Key which has left the Opposition on the back foot with gaps appearing all across the field in the Opposition team. 
Let us celebrate with New Zealand some of the many achievements of this John Key - led Government. We are the envy of the world with our primary sector underpinning the nation’s economy. We produce quality proteins which the world sees as safe and healthy and produced in a country that upholds the highest of environmental integrity. Remarkably this Government has managed to keep down the costs for the producer and that is compliments to the Government. This has enabled the farming sector the primary sector to get back up on its feet after 10 years of spiralling costs. We on this side of the House say that we should celebrate that. 
Although we regularly hear of the issues of the financial problems of the United States and Europe we here in New Zealand have the confidence to know that our sovereign debt will top out at about 30 percent of GDP and that is after fully funding the recovery after the Canterbury earthquakes. They are the worst natural disasters that have hit this country in its history and New Zealanders celebrate the way in which the Government has attended to the vulnerability of New Zealand. Incidentally the top out of debt that this country will face is merely a quarter of the average of the OECD countries. We on this side of the House say that we should celebrate that. 
Interest rates are the lowest they have been for 40 years. Although the Opposition may not like to hear that it is very important to make that point because under a John Key - led Government not only are they the lowest they have been for 40 years but also they will remain lower for longer and that gives business a lot of confidence. This puts money back into the pockets of all New Zealanders and a graphic example of that would be that the average family with a $200000 mortgage for their home effectively have an extra $10000 that they can decide what to do with. That is $10000 a year more than they had when Labour left office. On this side of the House we say that that is certainly worth celebrating. That amount of money in the pockets of hard-working New Zealanders is a game changer. It is also points on the board for this Government led by John Key. All New Zealanders on that account are winners. 
There is an incredible amount to celebrate in New Zealand at this time over and above the Rugby World Cup. We have the best returns for the primary sector in a lifetime the lowest interest rates in 40 years and an economic growth strategy that is functioning far better than those of the majority if not most of the OECD members. So it is a wonderful opportunity from this point of view to be confronting an election at this time. Economic growth will translate into employment opportunities. We will see the lid sinking on the unemployment numbers—they will become greatly reduced. We are speaking about employment built on productivity gains not the jobs built on the growth of wasteful government under Labour. In conclusion it is a wonderful time to be on this side of the House and we have a lot to celebrate.