2. Question No. 2—Prime MinisterCHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 2—Prime Minister2. 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 particularly the removal of the $5 prescription charge which has seen 900000 New Zealanders receive almost 3 million free prescriptions. Alongside extending 20 hours' free early childhood education extending targeted childcare assistance making public transport permanently free for children under the age of 13 and half-price for more than a million people removing prescription charges is a practical measure to support families with economic pressures whilst laying the foundations for a better future for the country—without making inflation worse as unfunded tax cuts for the wealthiest would.Christopher Luxon: Is the Prime Minister seriously saying that he and I should get free prescriptions rather than giving Kiwis battling cancer access to drugs that are available in Australia but not here in New Zealand?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No; on this side of the House we would prioritise extra drugs for cancer patients ahead of tax cuts that would for example mean that somebody on a salary of $1 million a year would get over $50000 a year extra in a tax cut. We actually think that funding Pharmac along with our health system our education system housing transport and the other public services New Zealanders rely on is more important than tax cuts for millionaires.Christopher Luxon: Why is New Zealand the only country in the Asia-Pacific region in recession?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because we had a cyclone at the beginning of the year. The member may not have noticed but actually the contributing factor to the fact that we had a technical recession was the effect of the cyclone on our primary producers.Christopher Luxon: Why then is inflation in New Zealand twice the rate of the US Canada and Japan if inflation is all just a global problem—because they had weather events too?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I notice he left Australia and the UK off. At any given point in time New Zealand's inflation rate won't be exactly the same as others around the world. I'm sure given his in-depth knowledge of the economy he would understand that. Australia of course were lower than New Zealand for a long period of time and then peaked higher and later than New Zealand in their inflationary cycle. Different countries have a different economic cycle. There can be no doubt other than in the separate reality the National Party live in that inflation has been a global problem over the last 18 months.Christopher Luxon: Was Westpac right when they forecast $15 billion more in debt in the next four years and does he take any responsibility for the explosion in debt and deficits?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Most economists are now picking that Government revenue will decrease rather than significant increases in Government spending. That will have an impact on the Government's finances. Everybody will be able to see what impact that will have on the Government's finances when the Treasury release their pre-election fiscal update which will be available to everybody.Christopher Luxon: Given and by his account the economy is doing great why are there 55000 more people on the job seeker benefit than when Labour took office including 8000 more in just the last four months?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There are more people in New Zealand—that is absolutely correct. The New Zealand economy's fundamental indicators are looking more positive. Inflation is trending down GDP growth is returning and we continue to have record low unemployment. On this side of the House we are unapologetic about our commitment to keep Kiwis in jobs. I note that's quite a contrast to members on the other side of the House who are being quite open in their intention to increase unemployment.Christopher Luxon: Why then if everything is so swimmingly great are there 55000 more people on job seeker benefits?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I've indicated the population is of course larger but we should also note that there are more people in the labour market.David Seymour: How is it possible that Government spending has increased by 70 percent over six years for no measurable improvements in outcomes with 70 percent of New Zealanders saying the health system is worse than in 2020 64 percent saying the justice system is worse than in 2020 and 57 percent saying the education system is worse too?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Oh I am so glad that the member asked that question because while he doesn't think that it's a positive outcome that New Zealanders' wages are rising we believe that is a positive outcome on this side of the House. We believe the fact that more New Zealanders are in work than ever before is in fact a positive outcome. We believe that New Zealanders having better access to healthcare such as the 3 million free prescriptions that New Zealanders have received is a positive outcome. We believe that 77000 fewer New Zealand children living in poverty is a positive outcome. We believe that record levels of renewable energy generation in New Zealand is a positive outcome. We believe that reducing New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions is a positive outcome. We believe that extending the coverage of free-trade agreements to cover more of New Zealand exports is a positive outcome. We believe that more New Zealanders in apprenticeships upskilling for the future of our workforce is a positive outcome. We believe that building more classrooms to accommodate roll growth so that kids aren't learning in hallways libraries and gymnasiums as they were when we came into Government—we believe that's a positive outcome. We believe that building more State houses than any Government since the 1950s is a positive outcome. I could go on for a long time.David Seymour: Could it be the case that the Prime Minister just talks far too much because he has those beliefs but the public including Labour voters don't share them and are now abandoning his Government in droves?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I would say that the election campaign's just getting under way and I'm looking forward to meeting the member and the members opposite on the campaign trail. When even his own coalition partner calls him divisive I think maybe he should take a little bit of a look in the mirror.David Seymour: Does that mean the Prime Minister is looking forward to a campaign running on fear of the Opposition's record in future because he's given up running on his own; and if that's the case does he understand that hope always beats fear?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Well first of all if the member actually has a record of the future he should share it because I didn't know that it was possible to have such a thing. But when it comes to campaigning on fear I would again invite the member to take a long hard look in the mirror and consider the way he is trying to demonise a large segment of New Zealand society—a segment of New Zealand society that have too often been kicked around for political benefit by members who sit on that side of the House.Christopher Luxon: Isn't it a vote of no confidence in his Government that after six years of running health and education and the economy into the ground almost 35000 Kiwis have voted with their feet and left New Zealand over the last year?Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: An 87000 net migration to New Zealand—the population is growing in New Zealand. Yes post-COVID some people left and some people came back. Overall 87000 more people are in the country now since we've opened the borders than there were before.