King Colin: General Debate 
King Colin: General Debate 
[Volume:671;Page:17551] 
COLIN KING (National—Kaikoura) 
: 
 I can tell those who are tuned into the parliamentary radio and TV stations that that speaker was Chris Hipkins. We can tell that he has spent only 2½ years or a bit less in the House because he did not recall the lack of direction and the stymied nature of the Labour Government in the last 3 years it was in power. Effectively Labour was in office when we had the best economic times in the last 30 years if not the last 70 years and it completely wasted that opportunity. At the election in 2008 New Zealanders shifted their confidence in behind a John Key - led Government and there we are today. 
I would like to start off by dwelling a fraction on the solidarity shown at the Hagley Park event in Christchurch. It was a privilege to be there and there were some enduring moments that were burnt into the minds and hearts of all present. We have to labour the thought a little because it was a memorable event for those who were there. What really took my notice was the spontaneous applause for the urban search and rescue teams—it just burst out. It happened on and on throughout the event and one had to try to capture that moment. There is a population down there who are crying out for support from the whole nation and the Government is attuned to that. 
I offer my congratulations to Gerry Brownlee David Carter and the rest of Cabinet as they wrestle with some incredible challenges. I had not been down to Christchurch even after the 4 September earthquake. I went down after the 18 March event and I visited my wife’s brothers who have been quite affected by the earthquake. When we drove back down Ferry Road up Fitzgerald Avenue down Bealey Avenue and out through Papanui Road we started to grasp without seeing the real damage inside the central business district the magnitude of the challenge facing the people of Christchurch the nation of New Zealand and this Government. 
I want to dwell on the bright parts of the economy at the moment and a side of the economy that has been our backbone for many many years—the primary sector. I think it is opportune for us all to give credit to the primary sector because it produces and creates jobs. There is a bright future for this nation so long as we have a robust and vibrant primary sector. The dairy industry is in good shape. It is working well and we need to applaud it. The sheep and beef sector is in good shape. It is in the best shape it has been in for 20 years. When we look at the cost of an earthquake and the effect of the downturn in the domestic product of this country of 15 percent we see it is understandable why we have to show some consideration and care around the decisions that will be made in the forthcoming Budget. The aquaculture industry is poised to make a major contribution to this nation’s economy and this Government shall unleash the potential by revenue and by opportunities of employment. Then we have only to reflect back a bit further to the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. 
The Government is getting itself in order. It has the commissioners working overtime to ensure that we break through the impasse of debate and discussion and no activity. The things I have mentioned are part of the very plan that this Government will unleash and it contrasts very clearly with that plan of the Labour members who in the very best of times continued talking got nothing done and stymied the very opportunities to grow an economy and build capacity. The people of New Zealand clearly have confidence in this Government and they will return it in 2011. Thank you very much. 
The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.