PM Press Conference – Election Date, Malaysian Aid - 10 March 2014
By The Scoop Team
Prime Minister John Key announced this week that the elections will be held on September 20th.
Speaking at his weekly press conference in Wellington, Mr Key indicated that the government chose a slightly earlier
date to account for the G20 Summit in November. He also said “It is in the country’s best interest to have plenty of
certainty and notice.”
Mr Key believes that, no matter who hold the office of Prime Minister, New Zealand should be represented at the meeting
of world leaders. In addition, Mr Key said that “half a dozen” world leaders had indicated their interest in visiting
the country. New Zealand, would want a stable leader and government in place to welcome them.
The Prime Minister said that the National Party would be running on three main points in the upcoming elections:
1. The National Party’s track record: “We have guided New Zealand well, through the Christchurch earthquake and the
global financial crisis….This change has not come by accident.”
2. New initiatives and ideas, especially the recent education plan.
3. Mr Key said that the National Party is in touch with what “New Zealanders want and need”.
In discussing the election, Mr Key expressed his hope that, moving forward, New Zealand would continue to hold elections
in September to account for APEC conferences.
Mr Key said that he believes the election will be tight and close. “Elections are like World Cups. They look easy to win
but they are actually very difficult to win.”
In other news, the New Zealand government has offered aid to the Malaysian government in its search for a missing plane
that included two New Zealand passengers.
Other topics included nuclear weapons, Winston Peters, tobacco prices, and the reserve bank.
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ENDS