PM's Post-Cabinet Press Conference, 15 April 2019: Not Talking About The Budget Or Kiwi ISIS Captive
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed cabinet signoff on the year's "wellbeing" budget. She described some of its
goals but declined to comment on any specifics at Monday post-cabinet press conference. The budget will be delivered on
30 May and Ardern indicated there would be pre-budget announcements.
She also discussed the case of a New Zealand nurse believed to have been abducted by ISIS while working with the Red
Cross in Syria in 2013. Details of Louisa Akavi's case were released by the International Committee of the Red Cross
today. Ms Ardern praised media who had not previously reported on the matter to preserve Ms Akavi's safety, and
emphasised that it was the government's view that it was preferable the matter were not in the public domain. She said
the Red Cross release of the information was 'a decision for them'. She firmly refused to answer any further questions
around the matter but said the government was not presently rethinking ransom policy.
Other matters the Prime Minister did not comment on included whether cabinet had made decisions on the Get Wellington
Moving transport plan, any decisions around capital gains tax (an announcement on the Government's decision is due this
months), and decisions around a recalibration of the Kiwibuild project.