PM's Presser 4/7/11: Infrastructure, Pike River, Not Knowing About Pay Equity
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At the beginning of today's post-cabinet press conference, PM John Key was joined Bill English and Steven Joyce to launch the government's latest infrastructure plan.
The Ministers answered questions on the plan, with particular reference to transport, broadband network and costing around the rebuilding of Christchurch.
Following that, the Prime Minister
spoke on the recovery of remains from the Pike River mine,
saying the Government would expect a plan for this as a
condition of any transfer of the mining permit. Other topics
included:
• The reappointment of PM's science advisor
Peter Gluckman, who has performed well in his job to put
science "at the heart of government decision-making".
•
The PM's recent trip to India.
• The action in at the
Kabul hotel, whether injuries were sustained by friendly
fire and Key's initial statements on NZ involvement.
•
Government action on synthetic marijuana products
•
Tobacco company plans to sue Australia under a trade
agreement over plain cigarette packaging. Key said he was
advised New Zealand was protected by provisions regarding
the public good. More widely, he said he could rule out
companies suing the Government but whether they would
succeed was another matter.
• Possible changes to the
Australian ETS and its compatibility with the NZ system, and
the NZ ETS review.
• The Human Rights Commission's
proposed pay equity bill, which Mr Key had not seen. Nor was
he aware whether there was a gender pay gap.
• and,
with apologies from the press gallery, 'Happy Feet' the
penguin.