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Russian Diplomatic Academy
Moscow
Russia

Yesterday's Budget is pivotal in the evolution of Government policy:

1. As a basis for on-going business confidence 2. In the management of the Asian crisis and the current account

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you this afternoon.

By now you should have had time to digest not only your meals but several interpretations of the Government's 1998 Budget.

The Budget combines progress towards the fiscal objectives of the Government with substantial advances in economic and social well-being for New Zealanders, Finance Minister Bill Birch said.

Tonight's proposed amendments to the Farm and Fishing Vessel Ownership Savings Acts would free up vital funds for people with accounts under those schemes, Finance Minister Bill Birch said today.

"The Government is determined to address the tough question of managing the costs of past and future ACC claims," ARCI Minister Murray McCully and Associate Minister Deborah Morris said today.

Today's Budget announcement that the ACC Employers' scheme will be opened to competition for employers and the self employed will deliver real choice, the ARCI Minister Murray McCully and Associate

The decision to open up about half the ARCI Corporation's existing business to competitive bidding will give it a strong incentive to continue improving service delivery, said ARCI Minister Murray

Employers and self-employed people currently paying for ACC coverage will be able to shop around for their injury accident insurer from 1 July 1999.

The Coalition Government is to spend $2.025 million on two new youth projects that will help vulnerable young people to turn their lives around, said the Minister of Youth Affairs, Deborah Morris.

The 1998 Budget demonstrates this Government's commitment to producing real benefits for New Zealanders.

Labour Minister Max Bradford today expressed his sincere condolences to the family, friends and workmates of the young construction worker who was crushed to death in Wellington yesterday.

The Coalition Government is continuing to encourage people to learn how to use energy more efficiently, Energy Minister Max Bradford said today.

The Coalition Government remains committed to supporting the role of small businesses in the New Zealand economy, Business Development Minister Max Bradford said today.

The ACC scheme is a compulsory, government regulated, 24 hour, no fault, accident compensation scheme.

1 Why is the Government opening the ACC Employers' scheme to competition?

1 What happens if my employer doesn't have an insurer?

"The Government is determined to address the tough question of managing the costs of past and future ACC claims," ARCI Minister Murray McCully and Associate Minister Deborah Morris said today.

The decision to open up about half the ARCI Corporation's existing business to competitive bidding will give it a strong incentive to continue improving service delivery, said ARCI Minister Murray

Today's Budget announcement that the ACC Employers' scheme will be opened to competition for employers and the self employed will deliver real choice, the ARCI Minister Murray McCully and Associate

Employers and self-employed people currently paying for ACC coverage will be able to shop around for their injury accident insurer from 1 July 1999.

The Government is giving the go ahead for a new Institute of Judicial Studies to enhance the quality of justice.

Tertiary students will win with big changes and improvements to the way their education is funded, Education Minister Wyatt Creech and Associate Education Minister Brian Donnelly said today.

School students will benefit from improved standards and a better quality education all round through more resources than ever before being pumped into education.