3. Question No. 3—Prime MinisterCHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3—Prime Minister3. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Prime Minister): Yes.Christopher Luxon: What impact has increased Government spending of $1 billion per week had on the cost of living?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Economists of course will argue about this at great length but the reality is we have supported New Zealanders through a difficult set of economic circumstances and I have yet to hear a single proposal from the National Party about what they would not be spending money on.Christopher Luxon: Does he agree increasing Government spending actually contributes to inflation?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Depends on the nature of the spending.Christopher Luxon: Does he stand by State services Minister Chris Hipkins' commitment in 2018 to reduce spending on consultants?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes.Christopher Luxon: Can he confirm that spending on consultants has blown out to more than $1.7 billion a year?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That's partly a reflection of the COVID-19 response where a lot of contracted workforces were used. It's also a reflection of the fact that the Government's doing a lot more in the areas which are dominated by contractors and consultants spending like capital investment—something the last Government woefully under-invested in which is why we had classrooms that were falling down hospitals with excrement in the walls and roads that were full of potholes. We're dealing with that; the last Government didn't.Christopher Luxon: Does he think taxpayers got good value for money from the $53 million spent on consultants for light rail the $51 million spent on consultants for the failed cycle bridge or the $6000 per week per consultant working on a Television New Zealand - Radio New Zealand merger?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: With regard to light rail we have to recognise that this is a significant once-in-a-generation investment for Auckland. We have to get serious about the fact that Auckland needs a First World public transport infrastructure. The National Party clearly don't seem to want that.Christopher Luxon: Is $30 billion on light rail really the right thing to be spending money on right here right now?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It's a multigenerational investment. Look at every other major city around the world. They invest in their public transport infrastructure. And yes it happens over decades. In the UK where the member has previously lived they're still building their underground rail network over 100 years after they started it.Christopher Luxon: Does he think someone on the average wage is paying too much tax when their income has grown less than inflation for the last 2½ years?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm not going to make announcements on tax today.Christopher Luxon: Can the Prime Minister just answer: does he agree that someone on the average wage is paying too much tax or not?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: What the Government will not be doing is cutting taxes for the highest income earners which is the National Party's policy.Christopher Luxon: Isn't it the case that the Prime Minister has changed that it's the same old Labour: addicted to spending and just can't get anything done?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The member keeps going on about wanting to get things done. He doesn't seem to have too many ideas about what it is he actually wants to get done.