Search

Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton, Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Transport Minister Mark Gosche received a briefing this afternoon from Singapore Airlines Chief Executive, Dr Cheong Choong Kong on the Air New Zealand Board meeting today.

"The New Zealand Superannuation Bill should now have the votes to pass after the Cabinet today signed off an amendment to reflect New Zealand First's concerns," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said.

The Government is to consult on proposals to better target assistance to charities through the tax system.

"The Government has always said that if we cannot get a majority in this Parliament for our superannuation policy, we will be more than happy to campaign on it in the 2002 elections," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen today released the Government's proposed response to the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Operation of Monetary Policy by Professor Lars Svensson.

Bill English continues to misrepresent the Government's fiscal policy, and the funding mechanism for the proposed New Zealand Superannuation Fund," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

"Budget 2001 has two principal objectives: to consolidate the Government's reputation as a prudent fiscal and economic manager and to advance our policy agenda," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said.

The Government has used the 2001 Budget to begin making contributions into the planned New Zealand Superannuation Fund.

"The 2001 Budget will include a modest adjustment to the $5.9 billion spending cap to allow for necessary and unanticipated expenses to maintain national and regional security," Finance Minister Michael Cullen announced today.

"Although the latest National Bank Business Outlook shows that the uncertain world environment has reduced confidence levels, there is much within the survey data to encourage," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

"The March CPI result was below market expectations and is consistent with inflation returning back to within the 0 to 3 percent target range later this year," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

I have just returned from a very successful two week investment tour of Tokyo, London, Dublin, Edinburgh and Singapore.

"Official papers released today on the 'Newbank' initiative show the Government received strongly competing advice requiring it to exercise an especially high level of care in deciding to allow New Zealand Post Limited to proceed," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said.

One of the first actions of this government was to boost the level of New Zealand Superannuation

The Crown will negotiate with Tranz Rail Limited to buy back the lease for the Auckland rail network, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

"The GDP figures for December, showing growth of 0.5 percent in the quarter and 3.4 percent in the year, tell the story of an economy on a steady and sustainable growth path," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

"The December balance of payments figures are consistent with a strong export performance and good corporate profits in New Zealand," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

ACC is putting a system in place to allow businesses that were double billed in the transition from payment of premiums in arrears to payment in advance to seek redress.

Home-owners and the local sharemarket got a surprise boost when interest rates fell this month.

Budget date announced

The Government has approved New Zealand Post Ltd's plan to establish a new publicly owned bank.

"The latest NZIER survey showing a strong bounce-back in business confidence is in line with other surveys and points to good economic growth this year," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson have approved the sale of BIL's 50 percent shareholding in Sealord to the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission [Te Ohu Kai Moana] and Japanese seafood company Nissui.

"The CPI result, while higher than most were anticipating, is consistent with inflation falling back to within the 0 to 3 percent target range in the second half of this year and is no cause for alarm," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.