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Post-Cabinet Press Conference - 8 July 2013 |
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Post-Cabinet Press Conference - 8 July 2013
By the Scoop Team
John Key was joined at today's post-Cabinet press conference by Minister of State Services Jonathan Coleman, and Finance Minister Bill English. Topics discussed included the public sector, Solid Energy, and the GCSB legislation.
Jonathan Coleman and John Key gave the first annual update on the government's 4-5 year plan for public services. Among other things, their targets include reducing crime and long-term welfare dependency, raising educational achievement, and increasing immunisation for children.
The government has also created a $20 million seed fund to support government agencies while they work towards these targets. Such projects will include Optimise Finance, Optimise HR and Optimise NGO Contracting.
Bill English was then asked an in-depth series of questions about whether Solid Energy would receive $100 million from the Future Investment Fund.
The government is in the process of amending the GCSB Bill, after hearing submissions on it last Friday. Key has been in talks with Peter Dunne, who wants further strengthening of the oversight regime. Key has agreed to the proposal for an independent panel of two people to advise the Inspector-General on security. Key wishes to get a broader Parliamentary majority before proceeding with the Bill, but so far has only held talks with Dunne and Winston Peters.
Questions were asked about whether the legislation involves monitoring metadata. Key indicated that in some cases it did, but did not go into specifics. The government would be open to having a review of the Bill in 18 months.
Other topics included the Facebook group called the Pakeha Party, the building consents in Christchurch, financial aid for Pike River families, the privacy of ministerial emails, and gifts for Will and Kate's baby.
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ENDS
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