PM's Post-Cabinet Press Conference 20/5/19: Piking, Australia, Parliament Bullying, Other Parties' Policies
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern began her post-cabinet press conference by announcing that the zero carbon bill would have
its first reading the Parliament this week.
Ms Ardern discussed the government's pre-budget announcement on finding for sexual and family violence prevention and
response, the budget's recognition of slowing growth in the global economy, and broader wellbeing priorities for the
budget. She also announced the appointment of Helene Quilter as Deputy State Services Commissioner.
Questions covered the Pike River re-entry – with the second attempt to begin the re-entry operation planned for tomorrow
and the event now excluding politicians and media – the announcement of funding for sexual and family violence response
and how much might come to Women's Refuge, Ardern's conversation with newly re-elected Australian PM Scott Morrison, the
deportation of NZ citizens from Australia, NZ First's proposal to extend the amount of time someone has to live in New
Zealand before receiving superannuation, planning for the next round of gun law changes, employer contributions to
Kiwisaver for over 65s, the timeline for the government response to the mental health inquiry, the inquiry into bullying
allegations in Parliament, employment culture across the government departments, Australia's resettlement of two
Rwandans accused of the 1998 murder of eight tourists including two New Zealanders, the status of legislation allowing
New Zealand to impose sanctions autonomously and the likelihood of a US-NZ trade agreement (both announced by the
National Party as foreign policy priorities), the possibility of National support for the zero carbon bill, any lessons
from Labour's loss in Australia, and the possibility of a National MP forming a Conservative Christian party.