Post Cabinet Press Conference on MP Pay Rises

Post Cabinet Press Conference on MP Remuneration

Prime Minister John Key answered questions in his Post-Cabinet press conference about the Iraq deployment, Solid Energy and National’s decision to overhaul the Remuneration Authority Act.

Key said that the 3.5 percent pay rise for MPs was disproportionate to the rest of the public sector, which sits at roughly 1-2 percent for wage growth.

The legislation will be passed under urgency and will be introduced in the next sitting of Parliament.

Key said he recognised this would be a long-term change to current legislation, as future governments will unlikely legislate for a higher wage for themselves.

Key is still supportive of the government’s decision to send 143 troops on a training role to Camp Taji in Iraq. The Prime Minister is confident we have made a contribution proportionate to our country’s size and emphasised these troops would be “behind the wire”.

Despite Australia placing a ban on travel to Mosul in Iraq, Key said New Zealand will not be implementing this kind of legislation.

Key also answered questions on the future of Solid Energy, stating that it was in a very delicate position, with ongoing consultation with the bank.

Key expects a resolution sooner rather than later for Solid Energy but injecting more capital is “not the governments preferred option.”

ENDS

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