PM’s Post Cabinet Press Conference 18/12/17By Jim Coates
Prime Minister Jacinda Adern attended the Post Cabinet press conference today with the Minister for Climate change James
Shaw. The main announcement being the cabinet’s plans for a new Zero Carbon Act. Shaw said that initially an interim climate commission would do background work on climate action and government
accountability, with an official Independent Climate Commission to be set up on the future. The Interim Commission will
be set up in March/April 2018.
There was discussion on the viability of the viability of the zero net carbon emission target regarding ongoing
agriculture and mining of fossil fuels. The Prime Minister said fossil fuels are not our future and that the government
will aim to offset carbon emissions domestically rather than relying on the purchase of international carbon emission
credits. She said that they will be looking for non-partisan support for the bill, in order to preserve continuity into
the future.
Further discussions included the Prime Minister's Christmas plans and who would be acting Prime Minister while she was
away. There was also discussion about the issues of overspending on gifts in schools in Auckland revealed by an
Auditor-General's report.
There was brief discussion the planned bill to stop foreign home buyers and how this affected the Closer Economic
Partnership between New Zealand and Singapore. Also discussed was the raising of the minimum wage to $16.50, planning
for the Americas Cup in Auckland, medical cannabis legislation, Australia not changing fees paid by New Zealand
students, and the cancellation of the relocation grant for beneficiaries.
Audio:
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Video – recording ends shortly before the conclusion of the press conference