I am enormously proud to be a member of
of this government. I am looking fonivard
fonNard to continuing the work that we
positive, we are confident, we are optimistic
optimistic about the future. Mr Speaker,
getting on with thejob. APPLAUSE
Stuart
Stuart Smith. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I
Can I take the opportunity to actually
actually congratulate you. I know I did it personally
but I would like to do
to do it publicly, now on your elevation
to do it publicly, now on your elevation to Speaker. I know your
encyclopaedic knowledge
rulings and of the Standing Orders will
will hold you in very good stead in that
that role. So, congratulations. I
I would like to, actually, pay tribute
tribute to the Minister of Education. He, like
most of us all, understands
understands the value of a good education.
very high on that list and the ability to count
to 61 was certainly proved to be
failing on the first day in Parliament.
But, you know, nevermind, those national
standards will ensure that students can
actually count to 61.
So, Mr Speaker, I think some of my colleagues have been very
unkind on the
the new government, calling it, or likening it to
monster, and all sorts of things. I don't like that analogy at all.
I actually thought a car analogy is far more apt. I think the analogy
would start with the main party,
the Labour
Labour lada, the Labour Lada is the very old car.
It is not fit for purpose and it's
most legioningy and
very strange ideas and it is joined ably by the
very strange ideas and it is joined ably by the old tricker
truck, which is New Zealand First
plastic, also not fit for purpose, unsafe and unreliable.
Then, of course we
course we have the third party, which is a
electric powered, 1960s come by van which
which a hazy, smokey substance of unknown
unknown substance coming out of it and
and dropping its principles every time will is an
is our Government. Good luck to them. But we
will be here holding them to account.
We certainly do need
need to do that. I would have to say my
my electorate was very disappointed that
that the speech from the throne didn't mention the
ongoing need for suppon
support for the Kaikoura electorate
earthquake. I thought that was rather
rather sad, but never mind. We are moving on. I think
it was quite important
spent on a road and rebuild, and we are yet to hear much from that side
on that. It
started by the Government ably led by John Key and Bill
English and it is moving
is moving on fantastically well. I do wish to
acknowledge minister Faafoi who did a
greatjob in opening the new
marina. INTERRUPTION
INTERRUPTION He does too, immigration
cases. We can't
can't forget that. It has been a fantastic
fantasticjob to rebuild that marina and
and get it up Australian running just in time for Christmas and the
opening of the road.
INTERRUPTION I would like to move
INTERRUPTION When
When we talk about the election, I thought
thought that was a phenomenal effort by
by my colleagues. I would like to welcome all my class of
2017 coming into this House.
They are fantastic. Particularly
member from Northland who fought a good, strong battle to
take the seat from
from some other member, I don't know who that was, but well done to the
memberfrom Northland. It is
interesting to see that
have electorates, and certainly in our party, when
you are so dominated by electorate MPs, having that pulse
of what's happening on... INTERRUPTION
INTERRUPTION Yes, high
Yes, high quality electorate MPs, compared
not this time. Never mind. Our economic position is such now that
our economy's
our economy's going to keep going strong for some time.
BELL RUNG INTERRUPTION
INTERRUPTION Thank you. The bad
INTERRUPTION
Government. INTERRUPTION It is a bonus.
It is actually a bonus.
bonus. They couldn't work out their timing, yes, again,
those numeracy skills. Timing is
60 seconds in a minute, 3,600 seconds in an
60 seconds in a minute, 3,600
But leaving the economy in such a fine
fine fettle makes it difficult for them
them to mess it up in the
task. They are complaining about a number
number of questions, I am still waiting for a number of answers.
We are waiting with bated breath.
are waiting with bated breath. We look fonNard to
those questions
coming through and we won't accept those
those answers that really are just trying to
trying to push it out further and then
then generate more questions. So we look
look fonNard to holding you guys to account
account and we look fonNard to the next three
next three years. Thank you. INTERRUPTION
INTERRUPTION Point of order. By way of
enter JaMon
moments ago the Hon Ruth Dyson generously
generously moved an extension of time
time for my good colleague the member
memberfor Kaikoura, Iwould like to second
second that motion. I think the member knows
unreasonable. He dropped about a minute short. Order!
While I am on my feet I would like to
ask Mr King, I'm sure he's
just sort of sucking on a lolly, but if he could do it
less actively, especially when he is in
in shot, there will be fewer complaints to the speakers office.
The question is that the amendment
in the name of
the Rt Hon Bill English
in the name of the Rt Hon Bill
it. A party vote is called for. New Zealand
it. A party vote is called for. New
The
The ayes
The ayes are 56, the noes