3. Inequality Economic—Trends and Impact of Government PolicyANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterInequality Economic—Trends and Impact of Government Policy3. ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement in relation to new statistics showing increased wealth inequality under his Government that it's not surprising it's getting a little bit more that way"?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I stand by my full statement which focused on the impact of house prices and that was: "I think it is largely consistent with what we have seen over the last 20 or 30 years. It is not surprising it is getting a little bit more that way because in reality better-off New Zealanders will own assets particularly houses and those house prices have been rising. So that's what will be driving that." But as I said earlier on the numbers have been pretty consistent with the last 10 years. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The member may get a chance for supplementary questions later.Andrew Little: Given the median individual's net wealth has fallen by $16000—that is 14 percent—since just after he took office does this mean that middle New Zealand is going backwards under his watch?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No and I would refer the member to Bryan Perry's income inequality work and statistics and to the fact that if you look at the latest estimate that around 50 percent of the total net worth is held by 10 percent of households that was the same as was reported when Labour was in Government in 2003 and 2004.Andrew Little: Is the fading Kiwi Dream of homeownership with just a quarter of adults under 40 now owning their own home contributing to increased wealth inequality under his Government?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: We would need to check the facts from the member because the member cannot even remember whether or not he was asked to say sorry.Andrew Little: Have the five separate cuts that he has made to people's KiwiSaver entitlements had a negative impact on middle New Zealand's ability to save and grow their net wealth?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Well what is certainly true is that the Government made adjustments to Working for Families. We accept that. That was all part of ensuring that the Government's books got back in order. We are one of the few OECD countries that are in that position and that certainly gives New Zealanders a much stronger platform for employment and growth.Andrew Little: Will Treasury's forecast of wages being outstripped by inflation in the coming 2 years mean that middle New Zealand gets wealthier or poorer?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Under the National-led Government middle New Zealand is getting wealthier. We have seen average wages rise by $11000. Real wages have been rising faster than inflation under this Government something that did not happen under the previous Government. Treasury's estimates are that real wages will rise by another $5000 over the next few years.Tim Macindoe: What are some of the measures the current Government has taken over its term of office to support vulnerable families?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: This year alone taxpayers will provide $10.4 billion of welfare support to vulnerable New Zealanders and that excludes New Zealand superannuation. The Government has a strong track record—including being the first Government in 43 years to increase benefits for families and children by $25 a week. We have increased Working for Families for very low-income working families by over $24 a week and for other families by up to $12.50. We have increased childcare assistance for low-income working families. We have provided free GP visits and prescriptions for under-13s. We provide breakfast in schools—Mr SPEAKER: Bring the answer to a conclusion.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: —to all schools that want it. We have insulated over 300000 homes across the country and we have increased the minimum wage.Tim Macindoe: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am the person who asked that supplementary question and I am sitting directly behind the Prime Minister but because of the constant barrage of interjection from the other side I could not hear most of the answer. While we are constantly hearing from the Opposition—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I did hear the answer. I was listening very carefully. I can understand why Mr Macindoe had difficultly hearing it. There is simply too much interjection particularly from the senior front bench. It was constant throughout that answer making it difficult for people to hear the answer. I do not mind some interjection but when it becomes so loud that other members who have asked a question do not get a chance to listen to the answer then it is an unreasonable level of interjection.Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: Are you speaking to the point of order?Chris Hipkins: Yes. I think on a day when members who have been asking longer questions have been asked to shorten their questions that when a short question is asked and a very long answer is given a level of disorder is then to be expected in the House.Mr SPEAKER: I think that is a reasonable point but of course when there is a level of interjection then the Ministers are maybe also responding to the interjection and I think that is also legitimate. So if the members to my left can keep their interjections down I will certainly make sure that I keep the answers relevant. I will be the determiner of when they conclude.Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I wonder whether you would care to consider the way that you intervened in what was a very long answer versus the way that you intervened in what was a relatively long question. You sat in your seat and asked through the microphone for the question to come to an end. You did not even attempt to do that for the Prime Minister.Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is not right. [Interruption] Order! That is not correct Mr Robertson. I was the one who stood to my feet and brought the answer to a conclusion.Andrew Little: In light of that last answer and the Prime Minister listing the highlights of the last Labour Government—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just keep the question short.Andrew Little: —does he remember telling this House "We would prefer that we were a more equal society"; if so does not his own Government's data showing increasing inequality prove that he has failed?Mr SPEAKER: Again there were two supplementary questions.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Yes and we reject the last part of the question.Andrew Little: When he is shrugging his shoulders at even more inequality and at the same time energetically defending tax dodgers is he governing for middle New Zealand or just the wealthy few?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: We govern for all New Zealanders and that is why we enjoy widespread support."