Wilkinson Kate: Taxation (Canterbury Earthquake Measures) Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Wilkinson Kate: Taxation (Canterbury Earthquake Measures) Bill — First Reading Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:672;Page:19039] 
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 I am pleased to stand and speak in support of the Taxation (Canterbury Earthquake Measures) Bill at its second reading. This bill is one of a number of actions the Government is taking to support Cantabrians and help rebuild Christchurch and indeed Canterbury. Yesterday’s Budget revealed even more the extent of that support to the tune of $5.5 billion. This bill is practical. Many words have been spoken in this House about the September and February earthquakes. They are certainly events that will never be forgotten. 
This bill represents another concrete action to provide help where people could be negatively affected by current tax law. As we have heard the main features of the bill include an exemption so that businesses will not have to pay tax and gift duty on trading stock they have donated up to 31 March 2012 for relief from the effects of both Canterbury earthquakes. Also exempted from tax will be certain welfare contributions provided by employers within 8 weeks of either the September or February earthquakes. The other two matters in the bill extend the redundancy tax credit to 30 September 2011 and provide the Commissioner of Inland Revenue with the power in emergency situations to exclude certain income from counting for Working for Families entitlement purposes. 
This Government continues to work hard to rebuild Canterbury and provide all the assistance necessary to the local communities. The $5.5 billion for the new Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund announced yesterday is obviously a big part of that too. We are talking about spending on local infrastructure and social services. We are talking about roads water schools hospitals welfare support and wage subsidies. This is $5.5 billion that will go directly into the Canterbury region. As for jobs this money will bring with it employment. It will see tradespeople and support services flowing into the region with locals to be the first to pick up the jobs they need. 
Rebuilding Canterbury after two particularly nasty earthquakes will be a long and difficult task. For many the grief remains very real and personal but we have to move forward and rebuild our lives and our region and this Government is committed to providing the resources to do that. To break down that $5.5 billion a little more we have $1.1 billion already allocated to local infrastructure $85 million on assets such as schools and hospitals $521 million on welfare and emergency support and $3.2 billion in the back pocket for future decisions such as land remediation and as needed for further infrastructure. 
It goes without saying that everyone would prefer we never had to endure either of the September or February earthquakes or the aftershocks. We would love to spend a nice sunny autumn day walking down Cashel Mall and eating at a local cafe but our reality has changed and now we get on with what needs to be done. This Government is working hard for Canterbury. This bill forms part of the overall picture as we continue to respond to the circumstances people are facing. There is quite some way to go yet but piece by piece this Government is providing the necessary tools and resources to help Cantabrians reclaim their lives and move forward. This bill is part of that toolkit and I support the bill.