King AnnetteHon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour): Mr Speaker merry Christmas and glad tidings to you and to all the members of this House including Jonathan—I always get that peace sign wrong; I always seem to get it round the wrong way. But I want to also acknowledge the fantastic staff who support us from our office staff to Bellamy's security messengers the Clerk's Office and so many more.It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. The Christmas trees have been decorated. The tinsel and fairy lights are up. The presents are being wrapped. The barbecue is cleaned and the camping gear is packed and ready. Meanwhile back here in Parliament the National caucus has spent the last few days breaking into song: A new king born". Well actually it is an old king re-crowned and there are those who are going around singing "Pa rum pum pum pum" and others saying: "Humbug!".Now they are anxiously waiting to see what Christmas presents "Ebenezer English" is going to give them on Sunday. They have been hoping that he has had a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past. There is excitement in the air over there. Soon they are going to be unwrapping the gifts they deserve and they expect. They have already sent their wish lists up to the postbox on the ninth floor saying "I've been a good boy" and "I've been a good girl" and they have already put in their orders for their presents.Actually some of them have already got their presents. Paula got an early one because she stepped up she stepped out and she stepped in. In fact she got the biggest present of all because she is just a hair's breadth and a banana skin away from being Mrs Prime Minister. She knows that she will outshine Bill during this coming year and her present next year will be even bigger.Then we have got Steven. Well Steven asked whether he could be put in charge of all the pork barrels and in fact he has got his wish. He is now in charge of all the pork barrels. Gerry said he really did not want much for Christmas—he just wanted the two front bench seats. But it looks like he is going to have to be satisfied sitting next to "Mr Charisma" for a bit longer.Then my new best friend Jonathan—he asked for anything but health. He said: "No more horror stories about people going blind waiting for treatment. No more stories about people waiting in pain for hip and knee operations. No more people denied cancer drugs. No more Trixie Cottingham—the 96-year-old denied home care due to cuts." He said: "Make me Minister of Foreign Affairs. I can make Murray's Saudi sheep scandal disappear by creating one of my own."Judith—well Judith did not ask for much because she knew not much would be on offer. And Nick—well he got his letter to Bill last Monday. In fact it was going to be a Christmas card but he actually sent a Valentine's Day card. It said: "I love you I love you. Besties forever."Then I have got the backbench seat-warmers. They have got high expectations. They have been uber-good this year: they have asked every patsy question that has been given to them and they have swallowed dozens of dead rats. They have even defended decisions that never went anywhere near caucus and they want some goodies in their stockings. David Bennett—he has got real high hopes. He rates his chances. He reckons his daily interjections—which are not rare not reasonable and too often—make him a cert for racing Minister. Brett Hudson has asked to be the Minister of Broadcasting because he got his first interview on Radio New Zealand this week—he was talking about the future but not his own. Jono Naylor and Maurice Williamson both said they want the same thing: they want a recording from Engelbert Humperdinck—that song that said: "Please release me let me go." Then of course Craig Foss—he unwrapped his present today and the box was empty.But I have got a bit of advice for the members opposite. I leave them with this advice: You better watch out you better not cryYou better not pout because I'm telling you why: Santa might not be coming to town for you.He is making a list he is checking it twice—he has even got Steven checking it thrice He has already found out who has been naughty and niceAnd Santa might not be coming to you!I want to conclude by saying to the House: have a wonderful Christmas. I say to my staff who have worked so hard for me this year—Angela Sophia Robin Lloyd Paul Alex Chris and Julie—thank you so much. A special thanks goes out to my wonderful husband who supports me so well. You can find love even at my old age Mr Speaker. I want to also thank my colleagues for the hard work that they have done. I hope we all have a wonderful break and come back full of fight and vigour for 2017."