Tremain Chris: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
Tremain Chris: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
[Volume:669;Page:16485] 
CHRIS TREMAIN (National—Napier) 
: 
 I rise to speak in the adjournment debate happy in the knowledge that David Parker has not issued any invitations to Gerry Brownlee to join him on a camping expedition through the Southern Alps this holiday period. I do not know for sure but perhaps given the public display of affection between the two members at the end of last year it is still entirely possible. Mr Speaker I wish you and Alexandra a merry Christmas. I acknowledge all my parliamentary colleagues and wish them a merry Christmas and also acknowledge all the staff throughout Parliament and all of our staff in the electorate offices around New Zealand who certainly do the hard yards for us all as MPs. I particularly wish my electorate a merry Christmas; it is a privilege to be their MP. 
It is a tradition to acknowledge the senior Opposition whip. The Hon Darren Hughes has had an outstanding year in more ways than one. Although on this side of the House Tony Ryall takes the cake with his daily shirt and tie ensembles today being no exception I have to say Darren provides a balance to Tony with his cream and beige McAndrews Menswear designer suit combinations—“city fashions at country prices”. That aside the highlight for me this year was when Darren joined the alpha males—Gerry Brownlee and Maurice Williamson—in his admiration of the beauties from the Miss Universe New Zealand pageant who were present in the gallery. Parliament’s most eligible bachelor wanted to point out that he and Labour joined them in their desire for world peace. Following that it might have been better if he had given them his phone number but never mind. 
Parliamentarians around the world are noted for their quick wits and this House is no different. I recall this year that while debating the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill I thought a great way to finish my speech would be to read the broadcast of my father’s try in the 1961 game against the French in a howling gale in Wellington. “At least one Tremain had talent!” Mr Mallard shouted across the floor. I thank that member. I really appreciated that. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: They all agreed with me on that side of the House. 
CHRIS TREMAIN 
: Yes yes. In giving it out he has taken a bit this year as well. There was the classic situation when Mr Mallard chose to ask the Prime Minister whether the Prime Minister stood by his spokesperson Kevin Taylor in calling Mr Hodgson a name that we will not repeat in the House. Although I am sure the Prime Minister was tempted in his response he said more diplomatically: “I think Mr Taylor could in hindsight have chosen his words more wisely but I am relieved that he did not use his fists.” I have to say that is one of the only times I have seen Mr Mallard actually stunned to silence in the House—it was a good one. 
One cannot go past the year without raising a few quotes from one of the House’s more prescient and wise members. Members on this side of the House want to acknowledge the honourable Chris Carter as our Opposition “Politician of the Year”. He genuinely is the gift that just keeps on giving such as his comments this year regarding his leader. Look Phil Goff is a nice guy but he just cannot win and I believe that Labour would do better in next year’s election under a fresh leader. We have been inspired by our selection of the Opposition “Politician of the Year”. I ask the ladies and gentlemen of National to please put their hands together for our Opposition “Politician of the Year” the gift that keeps on giving the honourable Chris Carter. Thank you very much Chris. 
One cannot go through the adjournment debate without highlighting the performance of the Parliamentary Sports Trust which had a great year on the field with games in Tolaga Bay Murchison Porirua the Chatham Islands and Wanganui. Once again the team raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities around the country which is fantastic. A highlight included John Carter’s joke in the Chatham Islands— 
Moana Mackey 
: Toastmasters! 
CHRIS TREMAIN 
: —as Moana gave last night—about a pirate who had his leg and his arm bitten off by a shark. The only problem was that there was a guy in the team playing against us who had had his arm bitten off by a shark. Good on you JC! It was a bit of a classic. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: He was involved with Hone too wasn’t he? 
CHRIS TREMAIN 
: Yes. It has been a year for the many not for the few over on this side of the House. Over on this side of the House we have rolled out policies that have benefited the many such as our six-point plan which we continue to implement. I could be here all day acknowledging the Ministers who have done amazing jobs. I do want to mention one Minister whom I think has done an outstanding job and that is Anne Tolley. In the face of huge opposition from the teacher’s unions and at times quite vindictive personal comments I say to Mr Mallard this lady rolled out national standards. On Monday morning of this week my daughter brought home her second national standards report together with a very clear document. For the first time in my life—and I am not a teacher—I truly understood what my daughter should be trying to achieve at her age. I say publicly that Minister Tolley has done a great job; well done to her. It is fantastic to have her as a part of this team over here. 
National members are not happy with where the economy is right now and acknowledge that we have more work to do. However the release yesterday of the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research report put us in a good space. The forecast is GDP growth of 2.1 percent now rising to 3.5 percent. [ 
Interruption 
] Opposition members do not like this one: the unemployment rate will fall steadily to 5.1 percent by 2013. Members on that side of the House wish it would go up. There will be accelerating wage growth to about 3 percent in 2012 comfortably ahead of inflation. It is excellent. 
Labour this year on the other hand was in a terrible space which was epitomised by Phil Goff’s speech at Chapman Tripp. Not only did our “Politician of the Year” Chris Carter continue his crusade to undermine Phil Goff but we finished the year really unsure whether the finance spokesman for Labour is David Cunliffe or David Caygill. We also now know that Phil is not particularly confident about his future from when he said that at least he did not say he would be leader of the next Labour Government. We know that Labour is totally bereft of new ideas. Even its speech-writers had to borrow themes from speeches overseas. What is more the only idea of any real merit in that speech—clamping down on taxpayers who rort the system—is one that Labour did a complete flip-flop on within just 3 short days by opposing in the extreme Peter Dunne’s Supplementary Order Paper that was specifically designed to do that. 
This morning Mr Goff was asked what his highlights were for the year on Pippa Wetzell’s show. He answered by saying that the soccer and rugby were the highlights. Pippa pressed on: “No Phil I meant your political highlights.” “Oh” said Phil “Well that would be Kris Faafoi’s maiden speech.” Without meaning to criticise Kris whom I am sure all members would agree made a pretty good maiden speech for that to be the highlight of the entire Labour year makes one wonder. 
On that note I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. Thank you.