Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

PM Should Return From Fiji As Coronavirus Crisis Worsens

“The Prime Minister should return from her three day visit to Fiji as the coronavirus situation gets serious”, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Fiji is a nice place, but its economy is 20 times smaller than New Zealand’s. It is not an important trade partner and certainly not a place for the Prime Minister to spend three days as a crisis emerges.

“Make no mistake, a crisis is emerging. The situation has materially worsened since the Prime Minister left for Fiji. The number of countries affected has grown to 37, the position taken by foreign governments has hardened, and the financial markets are starting to reflect a slowdown in the real economy. These are just the developments of the past 48 hours.

“The Americans are now saying it is futile to keep the virus out, the same must be true of New Zealand as 37 countries now have the virus. We now face a world where coronavirus will come to New Zealand and we must prepare for a pandemic.

“At what point do hospitals cancel elective surgeries to free up beds? What is our capacity to quarantine large numbers of people in more Whangaparaoa-like facilities? How would schools respond? Is New Zealand in line to access any future vaccine? These are just some of the questions the Prime Minister should be in the capital leading on.

“Meanwhile the New Zealand economy may be facing the end of the longest economic growth cycle in the post-war era. Many argue a correction is overdue. It may be arriving and, if it is, it will be brutal.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This morning, economists at NZIER said our economy will experience a negative shock in the short-term and that the long-term economic picture is highly uncertain. Tourism and trade are suffering. On Monday, the NZX had its worst day in four months and is down again this morning. KiwiSaver accounts are taking a hit.

“That the PM has prioritised a trip to Fiji over dealing with coronavirus is misguided. The New Zealand economy is at a tipping point. The Prime Minister should be here dealing with the potential fallout.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.