Goldsmith PaulHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Mr Speaker—Dr Megan Woods: Announce. Announce.Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: No. This will not be the announcement but it has not been the week that any of us has expected and I do want to start by paying tribute to John Key our Prime Minister. Enoch Powell's ironclad law of politics—that all political careers end in failure—has been proved wrong in this context as it has in the United States context where they limit their presidents to 8 years in office. Our Prime Minister has done 8 years. He has given his all and described the tank as being empty. Having followed him around the country at various points and seen his regular habit of doing three functions in an evening—bang bang bang—and then up at 6 o'clock the next morning so that he could come back down the country I can understand that he wants to do other things with his life. I do think the country owes him a debt of gratitude for all that he has done.When you look at his legacy fundamentally he lifted the country's confidence. He has showed us what we could do as a country—a small little place in the South Pacific but with so many natural resources such great people and such great skills to draw on. He was—and always has been—so upbeat about New Zealand's prospects and that infectious enthusiasm that he has had for our country has flowed through and made a real difference.He has also delivered competent sensible Government for an extended period of time which has led us back to Budget surpluses. When we look around the world and at the very very tricky economic environment around the world with incredibly low interest rates leading to the asset price inflation that we hear about so much—particularly in the Auckland housing context—under John Key's leadership with the support of Bill English we have successfully managed the economy for an extended period of time.I think he will also be remembered for the welfare reforms as well. We have had 70 years of social welfare in New Zealand all heading in one direction and for the first time this Government under his leadership has strengthened the benefits and also started to put some boundaries around the system showing responsibilities that are required from people who get help from the State. I think that is a very very important signal that we have sent and that will have a big impact longer term.The other thing about the Prime Minister is his personal qualities. One of the previous speakers talked about leadership being something that people can follow. Again when you watch the Prime Minister engaging with New Zealanders—I have never once seen him be anything but unfailingly polite to everybody he has met whether they are young small or old. The way that he has done that and has shown leadership has been a real tribute.We are going to build on that and that is the point. We have had that legacy from the Prime Minister but this is a Government that wants to continue the great work that is done for New Zealanders.Grant Robertson: Who're you backing Paul?Fletcher Tabuteau: Who're you backing? Who're you backing?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Ha ha! Some of the leaders around the House—it is a pity that some of the other people around the House have not followed the Prime Minister's lead. We have seen the Labour Party leaders over the last few years having to be pushed by their caucus. I think of Mr Peters who has been around for decades now and who has given a message of doom and gloom for over 40 years. I would say that Winston Peters is a good man but he has been I think twisted over a period of time in this House. I thought it was amazing that he was the only leader who could not bring himself on the news of the Prime Minister's announcement to say something positive about the Prime Minister. He had to come out with a negative nasty comment even at a moment when the nation was thinking about the contribution that the Prime Minister had made.I have had the opportunity to watch a little bit of that programme called The Crown which is about Queen Elizabeth II in her younger days. There is an ancient Winston Churchill who comes on the scene who has been around a long time and is well and truly past his use-by date. I cannot help but think of Winston Peters in that context. He cannot look back on great achievements. All he can look upon maybe is holding Koro Wētere to account back in the 1980s.I do not want to be harsh about Winston Peters but I think there are plenty of other leaders of parties in this Parliament now who could take a leaf from John Key's book and move on. In the meantime we are very focused on coming up with a new leadership team for this party that will carry this country forward over the next few years and build on the great strength that we have delivered in terms of growth the number of quality jobs the ability of New Zealanders to thrive in their own lives. Thank you.