3. Question No. 3—FinanceHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree that New Zealand's cost of living crisis is wider than simply an energy crisis; if not why?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Can I begin by acknowledging the member's announcement that he made earlier today and to congratulate him on his political career and also on taking up the opportunities ahead of him and wish him and his family all the very very best. As I've noted a number of times in this House I do agree that many New Zealand families are facing significant costs of living increases as a result of factors such as global inflation and the war in Ukraine and that this represents a crisis for many of them. That's why the Government yesterday announced a 25c per litre cut to the fuel excise duty and equivalent reductions in road-user charges. It's also why we have our focus squarely on those most affected which is why there is a package of income support for middle and low income families from 1 April. This package stands in contrast to the member and his party who are touting the same old National Party policies of giving tax cuts to the richest New Zealanders while giving $2 a week to those earning $45000 a year.Hon Simon Bridges: Does he agree that we also have a food cost crisis for example?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What I agree is what I said in my primary answer—that for many New Zealanders the pressure that they are facing from rising prices is indeed a crisis for them. When it comes to the cost of food I would note two things. The first is the importance of fuel in the food supply chain and the cost that it adds and how that will be reduced by the announcement that we made yesterday. Secondly we are continuing to focus on low and middle income earners who have the hardest time when food prices rise. That's why the family tax credit going up by $20 per week matters so much. That's why the increases in benefits matter so much. It's just a pity that the member in his time here didn't support those changes.Hon Simon Bridges: What does he say to struggling families around New Zealand dreading their grocery shopping given that under his watch food prices have increased by the highest amount in a decade in the last year with essentials like fruit and veges up 17 percent and tomatoes for example—SPEAKER: Order! The member—Hon Simon Bridges: —now at $7.29 a kilo. Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What I would say to those people is that on this side of the House we understand the pressure that rising prices mean. It's the reason why we're putting significant money in the pockets of low and middle income New Zealanders as compared to that member and his party putting $2 a week in the pockets of someone on a low or middle income. Hon Simon Bridges: Does he fully accept and understand the wide-ranging nature of New Zealand's cost of living crisis—whether it's energy food housing or other price increases—and isn't the answer to adopt a meaningful tax relief programme in Budget 2022 as Chris Luxon has suggested?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I simply disagree with the member that it is meaningful for someone on $45000 a year to be given $2 a week while members of this House would get thousands of dollars a year from Christopher Luxon's proposal. On this side of the House we will continue to focus on low and middle income New Zealanders whilst also addressing the fuel issue that affects all of us.SPEAKER: Order! Before the member takes that there was during the asking of that question a fairly consistent interjection from my right and as a result of that Mr Bridges will get an extra supplementary.Hon Simon Bridges: Will I always be his favourite National finance spokesperson? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I've been giving significant thought to this question and I can confirm for the member that among the six National Party finance spokespeople I have faced he's in the top half. Hon Simon Bridges: What will he miss most about me? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What I will miss about the member is his ability found latterly in his political career to not take himself too seriously and I look forward to his hosting of the Country Calendar yak special.