Speeches

Mr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, a mere six months ago nobody would have imagined a world in the grip of a global COVID-19 pandemic, let alone one that would wreak havoc across health systems and economies globally.

Tomorrow afternoon, Budget 2020 will be delivered within the most challenging economic conditions faced by any Government since the Great Depression.

Today we are making a Pre-Budget announcement on emergency support assistance for the New Zealand racing industry.

I want to start today by acknowledging the sacrifices New Zealanders have made over the six and a half weeks we have been in Alert Levels 4 and 3 in order to beat COVID-19.

Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for joining me.

For six weeks now, our lives have been quite different. We have gone from a lockdown, into Level 3 and the reopening of parts of our economy, as our team of 5 million has stuck to our strategy of going hard and going early to win the battle against COVID-19.

Kia ora koutou katoa, Thank you to John Milford and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce team for hosting this event today.

Today, we’d like to discuss New Zealand’s foreign policy response to COVID-19.

Over the past few weeks I have often used my time at this podium to acknowledge the people on the frontline.