PM's Press Conference 1/8/11: Money & DrugsAudio by Reesh Lyon
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Prime Minister John Key on:
- US debt plan - welcomed.
- NZ in good position to deal with economic pressures. Should be back in surplus by 2013/14.
- outlines measures taken by National to get country "back on path to longer sustained growth."
- outlines proposed changes to the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill: it will give a short term fix to the problem of
synthetic cannabis products. Legislation to be introduced this week will ban products such as Kronic. Cabinet is to look
for a longer term solution. Key thanks Peter Dunne for his work on this.
- outlines diary for the week, including 8 hour appropriation bill debate & priority for Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill.
- changes to drug laws will mean substances will have to be proven to be safe before going on sale. At current count,
the changes will mean 43 substances will be banned.
- Prime Minister was questioned on whether the Government forked out money for his appearance on the Letterman show. He
says it's possible Tourism NZ funding was used.
- questioned on whether Kiwi Saver should be compulsory. Says it's in NZ's interest to have as many people as possible
enrolled in the scheme. Says the Savings Working Group rejected the idea of compulsory savings. Cabinet is looking into
auto-enrolment in Kiwi Saver
- on Reserve Bank interventions "My views on that are already well known". The track record of countries who have
intervened in cash rates isn't flash.
- Questioned on Hone Harawira's use of parliamentary funds to fly his assistant around the country. Says it's a matter
for the Speaker and it's up to individual MPs to justify to voters their use of parliamentary funds,
- questioned on corporate gifts to Government agencies. Mr Key says agencies need to be careful but going out for lunch
with banking reps doesn't mean something sinister.
- rumours of Rodney Hide being offered a "plum job": "It's news to me"
- on rumours Mr Hide could be given a position on the National Party list - doesn't think Mr Hide would want it anyway,
as he's been "Act through and through."
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