Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. It's so disappointing to hear the usual old stuff: Cut wages. Keep those minimum wages as low as we possibly can. Let's have a year of austerity." That is exactly the wrong thing to do. The Budget Policy Statement is called a policy statement because it sets a tone. It sets a signal. What has happened? What this shows us is the wisdom of our Minister of Finance who through good times was having a steady hand on the tiller saying "Let's not be hasty. Let's prepare. Let's be in a good position should things turn sour." And let's be honest there are some risks facing New Zealand. COVID-19 is a significant risk but New Zealand is well placed. It is probably better placed than any other nation in the world because of the responsible management of the economy.And as for minimum wage this is exactly the right time to stick to our plan. There is a plan. It's set out in the Budget Policy Statement and we will stick to it because it's a good plan. It's not one that's going to change simply because circumstances change around us. That's why it's a policy statement. The minimum wage increase will ensure that workers are not alarmed can still spend money will still stay in their jobs will go down to their shops will go out on local trips in the holidays and will keep the economy turning over. And what's more our health system—thank goodness our healthcare system is in good shape. This Government has invested and will continue to invest in our health system. Our nurses are being paid more. There are in fact now 1699 more nurses than there were 677 more doctors than there were and more health workers ready to respond than have ever been in New Zealand.We've put $1.7 billion into a capital spending in our broken hospitals. Thank goodness we're going to have hospitals that are equipped for any eventuality that comes forward—$1.9 billion into mental health. That's just as important. Look we've heard about the fear the panic the anxiety that's out there. We need to be prepared. This Government is prepared. The Minister of Finance has rightly identified the weaknesses in our economy has set a path to address those weaknesses and that's what we're going to do. There is $2.9 billion into district health boards (DHBs) funding that has been desperately needed to make sure that our health workers and our DHBs are prepared for anything that may come their way.What's more the economy isn't going to come to a standstill. The $12 billion infrastructure programme will absolutely make sure that we have work that our economy is moving and not only that but that it's the right infrastructure infrastructure not only into some roads but really importantly into rail walking cycling but also into clean energy. These are all absolutely fantastic projects that are going to keep our economy going. We've got an economy that's got full employment. We've got an economy with low debt one that's been running surpluses. But there are clouds on the horizon. Now is the time to absolutely use those resources with the tax packages with the Ministry of Social Development but keep on course. It's not time to run away. It's not time to change the programme because the very thing we were allowing for has come upon us. This Minister of Finance has prepared us well. This Budget Policy Statement sets out our plan and we are going to stick to it."