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David Cunliffe: Kohanga Reo Trust | Euthanasia | LVRs

David Cunliffe's weekly pre-caucus press conference – 15 October 2013

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By Hamish Cardwell

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At his weekly pre-caucus press conference in Wellington Labour leader David Cunliffe answered questions about allegations of the misuse of credit cards by a subsidiary of the Kohanga Reo Trust, the Reserve Bank's LVRs coming into effect, and a call by a coroner for Parliament to make up its mind on euthanasia.

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Mr Cunliffe said the allegations of inappropriate credit card spending by a subsidiary of the Kohanga Reo Trust were "serious".

He supported an independent investigation into the situation, including “potential” getting the police involved.

He said he was not surprised there had been a drop-off in first home buyers now that the Reserve Banks LVR policy had come into effect.

“Labour has been saying for some time that the Reserve Bank ought to have been in a position where it could more actively consider a exemption for first home buyers."

The government's housing policy was a “absolute shambles”, with no policies like Labour's Kiwi Build, or a capital gains tax. Labour would look into borrowing exemptions “new builds”.

“The Reserve Bank have been left up the macro-prudential creek without a paddle.”

Mr Cunliffe said a Coroner views on euthanasia were "interesting".

Wellington Regional Coroner Ian Smith has called on Parliament to make a decision on euthanasia laws.

A Bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia was withdrawn by Labour MP Maryan Street last month.

Mr Cunliffe said Ms Street had made a responsible decision to withdraw the bill as the debate would have been "politicised” if it had happened during an election year.

He would not give his view on euthanasia because he wanted to give caucus a chance to discuss it, and did not want to be “seen to be influencing his colleagues on a conscious matter”.

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ENDS

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