3. Question No. 3—Prime MinisterCHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Acting Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3—Prime Minister3. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Acting Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Acting Prime Minister): Yes particularly this Government's delivery of over 12000 additional public homes since October 2017. One in seven of all public homes in New Zealand have now been delivered by this Government. On an annual basis this is the most public homes each year since the second Labour Government in the 1950s. There is more to do but after a decade where National left New Zealand with 1500 fewer public homes than it started with and failed to invest in new ones we are making progress. Christopher Luxon: Has New Zealand's economy grown faster or slower than Australia's in the last two quarters?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Certainly we are in the fortunate position of our economy now doing better than what it was during pre-COVID times. In terms of how we are doing in comparison to Australia if we look at some measures including the unemployment rate—which for New Zealand is at near-record lows at 3.4 percent—comparatively we are still doing well.Christopher Luxon: Point of order Mr Speaker. It was a very clear question: is the economy growing faster or slower?Hon Grant Robertson: Speaking to the point of order Mr Speaker the member's primary question asked around all Government statements and actions. You've ruled previously that members can't expect very specific answers to very specific—[Interruption]SPEAKER: I'd like to hear this thank you.Hon Grant Robertson: Members can't expect very specific answers to very specific supplementary questions when the primary question is as general as it was. Are you going to take any action against that Mr Speaker?SPEAKER: No. I'll rule on this: the question has been addressed.Christopher Luxon: Are any of Australia the United States Canada China Japan or any other comparable country in the Asia-Pacific region in recession or is it just New Zealand? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: If that member wants specific answers to specific questions then I suggest that he put it in the primary question. However I will say that comparatively with regards to our unemployment rate with regards to our debt levels and with regards to our exports we are doing better than many. That doesn't negate though from the fact that there are a number of New Zealanders doing it tough at the moment. We recognise that. We're not alone—many countries are experiencing the same thing.Christopher Luxon: Can she actually name a country other than New Zealand with all of a high current account deficit a large fiscal deficit high inflation high interest rates and a recession?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As I said every country around the world is experiencing impacts from global inflation and the increases that ensue. We are not alone in this. We recognise that on the ground that has an impact on New Zealanders. When we look at how we are comparing to other countries though we aren't doing as badly but we're focused on making sure that we implement policies that are going to help New Zealanders in their every day.Christopher Luxon: So can she just name one country?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I can name one country: Australia. I can name two countries: Australia and Canada. I can name three countries: Australia Canada Japan. I can keep going if that member would like me to.Christopher Luxon: What is the current account deficit and why does it matter so much to the credit agencies?Hon Grant Robertson: 8.5 percent of GDP.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Oh thank you finance Minister. I'll recognise him: he said 8.5 percent of GDP."—thank you.Christopher Luxon: And why does it matter so much to credit agencies?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I don't have the answer to that question in front of me but we can certainly follow that up with the member if he would like us to.Christopher Luxon: Why does her Government constantly try to claim credit for any success but will then run a mile from responsibility when the New Zealand economy is underperforming the rest of the world?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: That is not fair and that member knows that we are not underperforming with the rest of the world. We are focused on being as positive as we can as a Government in light of some of the challenges that we're facing. We're doing our best not to be wet whiny or losing the plot. We're focused on making sure we're doing things that matter for New Zealanders.Christopher Luxon: Isn't it embarrassing that having set out to do things so differently she's got the same failed approach to the economy the same failed Minister of Finance and the same failing results?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: No. What's embarrassing is when someone says they supported the Crusaders since they were a child when they were 26 years old when the Crusaders were actually formed. SPEAKER: Supplementary the Hon Grant Robertson. [Interruption] Any time now Mr Bishop.Hon Grant Robertson: Can the Acting Prime Minister confirm that New Zealand's level of public debt at around 20 percent of GDP is lower than almost every other country that we compare ourselves to; can she confirm that unemployment at 3.4 percent is in the lower third of the OECD; can the Acting Prime Minister confirm—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Only two legs. Hon Grant Robertson: Oh a question or not Mr Speaker?SPEAKER: Yeah the problem is you've already asked three. Hon Grant Robertson: Oh well I'll keep going then and they can keep yelling Mr Speaker if that's all right? SPEAKER: Well not really. I think you should leave it there. Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I can confirm those things and I can also confirm that it is with the efforts of a great finance Minister that we have ended up in this position."