PM Press Conference – APEC | LVR Changes | Tony Abbott

PM Press Conference – APEC | LVR Changes | Tony Abbott 30 September 2013

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By Hamish Cardwell

At his weekly post-cabinet press conference Prime Minister John Key discussed the upcoming APEC summit in Bali, the Reserve Bank's LVR changes, and his meeting with new Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday.

Full video and audio of the press conference below.

Video will be able to be viewed at approximately 8.30pm

M Key said he did not expect to sign any final free trade deals at the APEC summit this weekend, but that good progress was being made. More talks between New Zealand and the United States were needed around agriculture and intellectual property.

He would not release details of the negotiations while they still going on, but the information would become public as it would be tabled in the house.

Mr Key said he would be the first world leader to meet Mr Abbott but did not expect to get any “deliverables” from him in their first meeting. He expected they would discuss the Trans Pacific Partnership, asylum seekers and the treatment of New Zealanders in Australia.

There was series of questions about LVR lending changes which have just kicked in, as well as a discussion about electricity prices.

Mr Key announced the bi-election in Christchurch to replace Lianne Dalziel, who is to take a punt at the mayoralty, will be held Saturday 30 November.

He also said the referendum on state owned assets would begin 22 November and run through to to 13 December. It would be a be a postal ballot and would cost $9 million.

National MP and cabinet member Chris Tremain would not be seeking reelection in 2014, Mr Key said.

ENDS

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