Prime Minister’s Post Cabinet Press Conference. 3 September 2018
Watch Live Stream here:
Pacific Islands Forum
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that she will be travelling to the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister discussed that she will be raising the issue of asylum seekers on Nauru.
The Prime Minister also discussed that since her Baby Neve was unable to travel to Nauru due to immunization issues, she
opted to fly separately. The Prime Minister stated that she weighed the decision carefully and took advice from various
Crown agencies.
Her decision was influenced by the fact that she places importance on New Zealand’s relationship with other Pacific
Islands nations so she felt that she needed to go.
It was also influenced by feedback that the extra costs of flying separately were minimal because the plane would need
to leave Nauru anyway.
Living Wage
Changes made recently having positive flow on effects
As of Sept 1st 2018, all core Public sector workers will receive the living wage pay rate of $20.42 per hour.
164,000 workers will also benefit from the higher Minimum wage introduced by the Government this year and Working For
Families.
General Questions
Questions from the Press included:
Further discussion of the additional cost of the PM flying separately to Nauru. The PM stated that she weighed it
carefully and decided that the Considerable number of topical issues currently on the agenda outweighed any additional
costs and that it is a unique set of circumstances.
On the Meka Whaitiri investigation, the PM stated that she is not pre-empting the investigation that is underway.
On Racing reform, Ardern stated that no decisions have been made yet, so she is not pre-empting outcomes of the review.
On the Bali travel insurance case, the PM stated that the Government simply cannot help out every person who gets in
trouble traveling without adequate Insurance.
On whether the policy of doubling the Refugee Quota is still Government policy. The Prime Minister responded that they
remain committed to this and are resourcing for this level, however it still needs to go through Cabinet.
On Myanmar, and the Roghingyar crisis.
On the appointment of Steve Maharey as Chair of the Board of Pharmac.
On the Business Advisory Council appointments process.