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PM's Press Conference 1/8/11: Money & Drugs
PM's Press Conference 1/8/11: Money & Drugs
Audio by Reesh LyonClick to download audio: OGG MP3
Prime Minister John
Key on:
- US debt plan - welcomed.
- NZ in good
position to deal with economic pressures. Should be back in
surplus by 2013/14.
- outlines measures taken by National
to get country "back on path to longer sustained
growth."
- outlines proposed changes to the Misuse of
Drugs Amendment Bill: it will give a short term fix to the
problem of synthetic cannabis products. Legislation to be
introduced this week will ban products such as Kronic.
Cabinet is to look for a longer term solution. Key thanks
Peter Dunne for his work on this.
- outlines diary for
the week, including 8 hour appropriation bill debate &
priority for Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill.
- changes
to drug laws will mean substances will have to be proven to
be safe before going on sale. At current count, the changes
will mean 43 substances will be banned.
- Prime Minister
was questioned on whether the Government forked out money
for his appearance on the Letterman show. He says it's
possible Tourism NZ funding was used.
- questioned on
whether Kiwi Saver should be compulsory. Says it's in NZ's
interest to have as many people as possible enrolled in the
scheme. Says the Savings Working Group rejected the idea of
compulsory savings. Cabinet is looking into auto-enrolment
in Kiwi Saver
- on Reserve Bank interventions "My views
on that are already well known". The track record of
countries who have intervened in cash rates isn't
flash.
- Questioned on Hone Harawira's use of
parliamentary funds to fly his assistant around the country.
Says it's a matter for the Speaker and it's up to individual
MPs to justify to voters their use of parliamentary
funds,
- questioned on corporate gifts to Government
agencies. Mr Key says agencies need to be careful but going
out for lunch with banking reps doesn't mean something
sinister.
- rumours of Rodney Hide being offered a "plum
job": "It's news to me"
- on rumours Mr Hide could be
given a position on the National Party list - doesn't think
Mr Hide would want it anyway, as he's been "Act through and
through."
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