1. Question No. 1—FinanceGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. GREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of Finance: How is the Government supporting New Zealand businesses and workers through the global COVID-19 pandemic?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The Government has provided over $13.3 billion in wage subsidies since the first scheme was launched in March. This means wage subsidies have been available over a maximum of 22 weeks for eligible businesses. For a sole trader this equates to $12887.60 in direct assistance; for a business with 10 full-time workers this equates to a cash grant of over $128000; for a business with 25 workers over $322000; and for a business with 40 workers over $515000. These 22 weeks of wage subsidies have been available during a period in which the entire country has spent seven weeks at levels 3 and 4 and with Auckland at level 3 for an additional 2½ weeks. The rest of the period we have operated at either level 2 or 1 when wage subsidies are being paid. Over and above these subsidies the Government has also helped to cushion the impact of higher alert levels through the small business cash flow scheme the business finance guarantee scheme and a range of other business-friendly initiatives.Greg O'Connor: How do these support measures fit into the Government's wider strategy to respond to COVID-19?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This Government believes that the best economic response to COVID-19 is a strong public health response. This stance is in line with our wellbeing approach and the Living Standards Framework. In deciding yesterday to extend current restrictions until Sunday we are giving ourselves the time to fully bring the current outbreak under control. Doing so means that we can return to normal levels of economic activity faster allowing a more rapid recovery. This is exactly what we saw in New Zealand in June July and the first 12 days of August. In the meantime we have provided the wage subsidy to help businesses pay and retain workers over this period. This is in addition to the previous wage subsidy extension which remains open for applications until 1 September. We know that the current restrictions are difficult for businesses and households but by going hard and early to eliminate the virus wherever it appears while cushioning the blow we put our economy in a better position to recover—as we saw in June July and the beginning of August.Greg O'Connor: What recent reports has he seen implying the relative success of the Government's COVID-19 response strategy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I've seen reports today that New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is experiencing a dramatic increase in interest for investor visa applications as a result of the relative success of the elimination strategy. The NZTE general manager of investment said New Zealand's response to COVID has definitely been noticed in other countries and has created … [an] interest in relocating businesses … or investing here [that] is higher than normal." He said that New Zealand's coronavirus response had multiplied its existing advantages of lifestyle our Pacific Rim location trade deals and innovative businesses. While we know we have to stay the course to bring this current outbreak under control it is pleasing to see that our elimination strategy is paying dividends through increased interest from overseas investors."