Points of Order — Donna Awatere Huata

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. You have mentioned the position in respect of the ACT party in this House. I would be curious to know whether we have a chance to reflect upon what you have said, and to revisit it with you. It is a simple matter. This is the first day of the House’s sitting. You have given a ruling—or it sounds like a ruling—from the very start. There was a part of it that, from my own experience, I personally could not agree with. We would therefore like to raise the matter with you at another time—and would like to know whether it is still open for that to happen.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: I am quite happy for members to reflect on anything I say, and for them to come and see me at any time about anything I have said.

Prime Minister’s Statement

Before I call on the Prime Minister I want to say that this statement, of course, has already been given to party leaders, and I require that the statement and the following addresses from party leaders be heard in relative silence.

The Prime Minister’s statement to Parliament on this first sitting day of the year provides a formal opportunity to review public affairs and outline the Labour - Progressive Coalition Government’s legislative and other intentions for the next 12 months. As recently as 27 August last year the priorities for the second term of the Government were set out comprehensively in the Speech from the Throne. Today in this statement I will comment on the current state of the economy, on the Government’s key areas of activity for the year, and on the international crisis over Iraq.

The Government begins the year very positive about the prospects for New Zealand and for its own policy programme. The economy’s performance has been strong, even in a challenging international environment. New Zealand over the past year has been one of the OECD’s star performers, with annual average growth for the year to September coming in at 3.9 percent. Although the economy is projected to come off that growth peak, commentators are predicting a soft landing, with growth slowing to just below trend. Given the state of most Western economies, that would be a very credible result. The Government, however, will continue to work alongside stakeholders in the economy on policies and initiatives to lift growth to a sustainably higher plane. Currently, our unemployment rate stands roughly equal to that of the United Kingdom, lower than that of either the United States or Australia, and significantly lower than that of the Euro area—and I note today’s unemployment rate of 4.9 percent for the December quarter.

Net migration remains strong, fuelled by fewer New Zealanders leaving and by more returning home. Twenty-five percent fewer New Zealanders left to live elsewhere last year than did in 2001, and the number of Kiwis coming home on a permanent or long-term basis rose by 8 percent. New Zealand continues to be a very attractive destination for migrants.

Other key indicators are also encouraging. Retail sales are healthy, and consumer confidence is solid. Overall business confidence reflects the international uncertainty, but businesses’ own investment and employment intentions are solid.

The strong economic performance has had a very positive effect on the Government’s fiscal position. While that is, of course, welcome, the Government will be maintaining a strong fiscal policy. Our aim is to build and sustain solid levels of economic growth, and to fund good public services and infrastructure sustainably. Spending that grows unsustainably inevitably ends in the heartache of structural deficits and / or cutbacks. That is a feature of New Zealand’s modern history that should not be repeated.

The appreciation of the New Zealand dollar over the past year has put pressure on the export sector. That pressure reminds us of the ongoing challenge to the New Zealand economy to reposition up the value chain as a supplier of highly desired and higher-valued goods and services, which are less vulnerable to currency fluctuations. While the open nature of the New Zealand economy requires all our businesses to be internationally competitive, the maintenance and improvement of our living standards requires us to be innovative and to compete on quality and value. There is no future for New Zealand in a competition to produce the cheapest products with the least concern for labour and environmental standards.

Growth and innovation was the focus of the economic policy framework released at the time of my Prime Minister’s statement last year. Since then, many initiatives have been taken in line with the framework to strengthen the economy’s capacity to grow, and we will continue to build on them this year. Moving ahead on workplace skills supply, on increasing New Zealand’s research and development capacity, on practical initiatives to speed up regional, business, and export growth, on sector strategies, and on infrastructure is at the heart of the Government’s economic programme. That programme is reinforced by our commitment to strong leadership, a stable policy framework, and to opening up world markets to our goods and services, and by the priority we place on social cohesion, participation, and opportunity, so that the benefits of progress can be widely shared. In that way we can best build a shared vision and national consensus around the goal of lifting New Zealand’s economic performance and improving our social outcomes.

The very foundation of a dynamic economy and society lies in the talents and skills of its workforce and people. Our Government has set out to open up opportunities for New Zealanders to gain higher education and skills qualifications. Tertiary education has become more affordable, and participation in skills training has soared. Even so, employers still report skills shortages at a level that constrains our ability to grow. It is sobering to hear that those skills shortages are often as basic as an inability to read and write properly. We will continue to work with industry to overcome skills deficits, both through more funding of education and training, about which I shall say more later, and by continually retuning the immigration system to meet our workforce needs.

In the past year the introduction of the work to residence policy, which includes the talent visa, and the priority occupations work permit, the increased English language requirements, and a points premium for job offers relevant to migrants’ qualifications and work experience have all aimed to lift the economic contribution that immigration makes to New Zealand. Changes designed to meet that objective will continue to be made. The Government will continue to promote the benefits that migrants with relevant skills bring to New Zealand, and to promote the values of tolerance, inclusion, and respect, which characterise all successful harmonious and outward-looking societies.

Innovative economies and societies place a high value on science, research, and creativity as springboards for growth and development. The past year has seen exciting initiatives in those areas. For example, the seven centres of research excellence have been established in areas of major importance to New Zealand’s economic and social development. The centres are operating collaboratively across tertiary institutions, and for the most part also have links to Crown research institutes. Excellence, specialisation, and collaboration are all characteristics that the new tertiary Education Commission has been set up to drive in the tertiary sector, and we have high expectations for the increased contribution the tertiary sector will make to New Zealand’s well-being.

Funding for industry-led research consortia was also introduced in 2002. To date, $33 million of public funding over 5 years has been more than matched by $44 million from the private sector. Those research groups bring Crown research institutes and universities together with private sector companies, to pursue opportunities with commercial potential. Among the consortia approved to date are those working on biomedical compounds, pastoral greenhouse gas reduction, and wood quality. More are in the pipeline.

In the creative sector, the reputation of our film industry continues to be boosted by the box-office success of Lord of the Rings. Most encouraging also is the early success of the first film to be funded by the Film Production Fund, established by the Government in 2000. Whale Rider has won critical acclaim in film festivals in Europe and North America in recent months. Its success is positive for Māoridom and for all New Zealand, based as it is on a novel by Witi Ihimaera, and filmed in an East Coast community with its full backing and participation. Whale Rider’s success lives up to the vision the Government had for New Zealand film-making when the Film Production Fund was established. More films are in various stages of post-production and planning, from the fund.

The New Zealand music industry has also had a good year. More New Zealand music is being broadcast locally, with commercial radio stations exceeding the targets set for local content in the voluntary code. New Zealand music is now making up almost double the share of total music sales in the country, compared with 5 years ago. The Music Industry Commission, with the support of Trade New Zealand, has led successful delegations to major international music fairs, and hosted a very successful New Zealand music showcase in association with America’s Cup activities late last year.

Trade New Zealand and Industry New Zealand have worked proactively over the last year to promote business, industry, cluster, regional, and export growth. Many hundreds of companies have been assisted by their advisors and funding. Trade New Zealand alone provided export development services to more than 700 new clients in 2002. In terms of results, Trade New Zealand’s customers estimate that its assistance to them resulted in an additional $2.41 billion of foreign exchange earnings.

More than a decade ago Professor Michael Porter’s prescription for New Zealand advocated the development of industry clusters to boost growth. Now, Industry New Zealand is backing 22 clusters, which assist key business suppliers and related organisations to take advantage of growth opportunities. They range across sectors from health information technology in Auckland to Waikato’s biotech, Wellington’s creative manufacturing, Nelson’s seafood, and Dunedin’s engineering. Over the past 3 years the Government has helped to establish and / or fund 26 regional groupings, to develop economic strategies and regional specialisation. From that work, new regional centres of excellence have emerged in the past year. Hawke’s Bay has the centre of innovation for food processing, Marlborough has the research centre for viticulture, Rotorua has the centre for excellence in wood processing and training, and Hamilton has the Waikato technology park to promote commercialisation of intellectual property.

In the cities, and generally attached to tertiary institutions, are 15 incubators that have been funded by Industry New Zealand’s incubator development unit. The start-up companies in the incubators benefit from the collegial work environment, and from the mentoring and practical business advice available to them on site. New Zealand has been a latecomer in incubator support for start-up companies, and we are running to catch up now, including the addressing of their needs for capital.

In 2001 our Government decided to get involved, in order to ensure that start-up companies could access early-stage capital. Venture capital is recognised internationally for the key role it plays in commercialising innovation. The Venture Investment Fund now has co-investment arrangements with three privately-managed seed funds, and is currently finalising documentation with two more. The focus for those funds will be early-stage, innovative businesses with potential for high growth. Already, for example, one of the funds has invested in an early expansion - staged software company, recognised as an industry leader in business intelligence and data-visualisation solutions. Further investments are expected to be made by fund managers in the next few weeks.

Other programmes rolled out in the past year include World Class New Zealanders, which helps businesses to get access to international expertise and innovative technology. Through the programme, businesses can set up networks and strategic partnerships with successful overseas businesses, through international missions and exchanges. It also encourages links to successful expatriate New Zealanders and their networks. A recent example of that programme in action saw representatives of the Petone-based Black Arrow Company, which manufactures Racetech racing seats, visiting the US to meet with Daimler-Chrysler engineers, and that led to a contract being signed.

Last year the Government established four task forces in innovative sectors with the potential to have significant spillover effects for growth in other sectors. The information and communications technology task force has already produced a draft report with ambitious targets, and the biotechnology, design, and screen production reports are due shortly. The blueprints that emerge will help to guide the Government’s investment in education and infrastructure, and the sectors’ ability to exploit market opportunities. This year Trade New Zealand and Industry New Zealand will be merged, to service the needs of New Zealand businesses better through a single agency. Last year the investment services of the two agencies were joined together to form a strong Investment New Zealand, to attract foreign direct investment. Resources for the combined operation were increased by more than $6 million in the current year. The new Investment New Zealand is working to get better alignment between investment, recruitment, and industry sector strategies.

In order to be successful in attracting both foreign and domestic investment into areas with high potential for growth, New Zealand needs to have infrastructure that can meet the needs of both industry and society. For the Government this year, in this term, that means planning and action on transport, on energy supply, on the quality and allocation of fresh water, and on the high-technology infrastructure of broadband.

The New Zealand transport strategy, launched in December, will guide Government decision-making across all transport modes. The Land Transport Management Bill, due for passage this year, provides for a broader land transport focus than has been encouraged in the past. Effective land transport planning must address public passenger transport funding and management systems, along with the roading and rail networks. The strategy overall will ensure that a more balanced and sustainable approach is taken to developing transport infrastructure. The Government is also increasing its spending on roading, public transport, and alternatives to roading. Auckland’s transport needs are getting long-overdue attention in order to relieve the congestion there, which impacts adversely on the whole economy.

New Zealand’s growth is putting pressure on our energy supply. So are the earlier-than-expected expiry of the Maui gas supply and the effects of longer-term climate change on the critical hydroelectricity supply from the South Island lakes to the east of the alpine chain. The Government is not satisfied that the inherited energy policy settings can ensure the provision of adequate supply quickly enough. Ensuring that New Zealand has a secure energy supply, that our energy use becomes more efficient and less wasteful, and that our renewable sources of energy are developed and maximised are key objectives of the Government’s recently released programme of action for sustainable development.

The Government announced yesterday proposals to amend the Resource Management Act to give greater weight to the benefits of renewable energy. The sustainable development programme of action also addresses the need for new approaches to freshwater allocation and use. New Zealand has taken access to clean, abundant water for granted, and it is vital to our agricultural economy and to the functioning of our communities, yet in some parts of the country the pressure on water resources is already acute. Our work programme addresses how to allocate and use water in more sustainable, efficient, and equitable ways, how best to maintain its quality, and how to ensure that water bodies with nationally significant natural, social, or cultural heritage values are protected. Lake Taupo is an example of a situation where past and current activities are threatening the long-term water quality status and the sustainable development of the lake and its environs.

In the telecommunications sector a new Act, a new commissioner based in the Commerce Commission, and an updated Kiwi share obligation are in place. Now the Government’s key focus is Project Probe, the initiative to roll out broadband to the regions. Commercial tendering is under way, and project completion has been targeted for the end of 2004. Fast Internet access is an essential precondition for economic modernisation and it needs to be available throughout New Zealand, so that our rural industries can benefit from it along with our cities.

The Government continues to work to leverage advantage for New Zealand from major successes like The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and the hosting of the America’s Cup. They and our vanguard export industries, large and small, are redefining the New Zealand brand as smart and innovative, creative, technologically advanced, and in tune with the 21st century. That is working for New Zealand tourism, which bounced back speedily from the tragedy of September 11. It is working in our favour for net inward migration, both in retaining and attracting back more of our own people and in recruiting the best and brightest from elsewhere. We need that updated brand to work in our favour consistently across our range of exports, and to attract high-quality investment to help to drive our future.

The export orientation of New Zealand’s economy leads the Government to prioritise getting greater market access for our goods and services. New Zealand is more adversely affected by protection in foreign markets than any other developed country. A successful World Trade Organization round, especially on agricultural access, would deliver big gains for New Zealand. Opening up markets through the Dohar round is our top trade policy priority this year and until its conclusion. The Government will also continue to push at APEC for the achievement of the Bogor goals. Within APEC we already have open-trade agreements with Australia, with the 20th anniversary of closer economic relations this year, and with Singapore. This year we begin talks with Chile and Singapore on a three-way agreement, and we have stepped up our promotion of free-trade negotiations with the United States, following the positive reference to New Zealand in the US Trade Representative’s letter to Congress on his intention to negotiate with Australia. The Government is working closely with the private sector, locally and in the United States, to press the New Zealand case.

Last year the Government set the objective of returning New Zealanders’ per capita income to the top half of the OECD rankings over time. There is no magic wand to be waved to achieve that, but there are many steps that the Government, economic stakeholders, and the broader community can take to make it possible. The path that the Government has chosen sees us implementing smart, active policies to encourage and facilitate growth and development, and forming partnerships across the economy and society to make it happen. Improving workforce productivity will be a central element in achieving improved sustainable growth rates, and this year the Government wants to work with both business and unions to make progress on lifting productivity.

The path we have rejected is the discredited direction of the 1990s. That path held families and communities back through a repressive social and labour-market policy, and crushed the spirit of many. Then, through ideological extremism and economic policy, the Government of the time had neither the resources required to invest in our common future nor the leaders needed to promote a vibrant, sustainable economy.

Now I believe that there is a new optimism about New Zealand’s potential. New leaders, achievers, and entrepreneurs have emerged. The country’s sights are higher. We New Zealanders have a greater belief in our ability to succeed in the global economy, and to have the basis for an unparalleled quality of life here. The country’s ability to grow, even in tough times, can no longer be dismissed as just good luck. There are smart and entrepreneurial people making that luck, and a Government that is prepared to play its part in backing the development of the smart and sustainable economy. What makes all the effort worthwhile for our families and communities is to see a social dividend flow from New Zealand’s success, especially in the areas of health and education.

Priorities for this year in those areas will include the continuing roll-out of primary health organisations as an integral part of the primary care strategy. Already primary health organisations are providing a broad range of primary health-care services to over 500,000 New Zealanders, with the majority being guaranteed lower costs for primary health-care and all being assured of access to comprehensive and coordinated primary care. A further 25 primary health organisations are due to start up by 1 April, by which time it is estimated that 1.4 million New Zealanders will be enrolled in primary health organisations. Then there is the progressive introduction of population-based funding for district health boards as part of our ongoing population focus for the health system, to ensure the increased funding we have made available for boards is allocated according to the population needs of the district, rather than simply on an historical basis. That enables boards to meet the health needs of their communities better.

The continued implementation of the blueprint for mental health services remains a priority. Prior to Christmas the Minister of Health announced her decision to bring forward planned additional funding for Auckland and Waikato mental health services, to bring them more into line with the services available in other parts of the country. That is just part of the ongoing expansion of mental health services nationwide, which will see spending increase from around $524 million 5 years ago to an estimated $900 million by 2003-04.

In education, work will continue on increasing participation in and the quality of early childhood education, in line with the strategy released last year. We will be working with the sector on ways in which the funding systems could be altered to encourage better participation. In the compulsory sector this year, the Government is funding more than 700 teaching positions over and above what would have been required for roll growth alone. We will continue to invest in increased teacher numbers.

This year begins a comprehensive examination of ways to improve teaching and learning. We know that New Zealand’s future success will depend on our ability to apply knowledge across the economy and society. How well we are able to educate our children will directly influence our competitive ability. We also value education for its intrinsic value in building a tolerant, knowledgeable and outward-looking nation. More information and communication technology initiatives will be funded in schools. Project Probe will see broadband rolled out to all schools over the next 2 or 3 years. The cluster-based approach to the use of information and communication technology in schools has worked well and will be expanded, as will initiatives aimed at getting more computers to teachers. A task force has been set up to look at issues relating to secondary teacher supply, teacher qualifications, and professional development. Its report will help to shape Government policy.

The Tertiary Education Commission has been formally established from the beginning of the year, and is now responsible for steering the development of the sector. This year will also see the introduction of performance-based research funding. The development this year of a system of maximum tuition fees for students, effective from 2004, along with triennial tuition funding for institutions, will provide a lasting solution to the problem of unpredictable fees for students and income for providers. A review of student support will look at ways to bring more students into the student allowance net, while at the same time setting out fair rules for determining the contribution students make towards the costs of their study.

Strengthening and expanding opportunities for people to learn in the workplace is a top priority this year, too. By the end of the year we intend to have 6,000 young people in modern apprenticeships – an increase of 100 percent since the middle of last year. We will also continue to increase the number of industry trainees, and have adopted a target of having 150,000 workers in industry training during 2005. This year we are extending the Gateway programme, so that senior students in another 39 schools will be able to experience structured learning in the workplace and will leave school better equipped to move into paid work and further training.

The legislative and policy agenda for this year is very full. In the coming weeks and months, important bills we will be looking to progress include the Television New Zealand Bill, to enable TVNZ to proceed to implement its charter for quality public television and to separate out BCL Ltd as a profitable State-owned enterprise. The Responsible Gambling Bill aims to control the growth of gambling, in order to minimise the harm it causes and to see that the community funding available from it is both publicly accessible and accountable. The Racing Bill merges the Racing Industry Board and the TAB into a single statutory body, so as to simplify the governance of the racing industry and to make it largely responsible for its own affairs.

The Resource Management Amendment Bill will reduce delays and costs in the planning process, strengthen provisions relating to national policy statements and environmental standards, and enhance the provisions for historic heritage. New holidays legislation will replace the old confusing law with new provisions that are easier to understand and more appropriately recognise the relationship and balance between the demands of work and of life outside employment. The War Pensions Amendment Bill (No 2) enables veteran pensioners to earn income additional to their pensions on the same basis as others on social security benefits. The Supreme Court Bill provides for New Zealand’s final court of appeal to be located in New Zealand, and marks the coming of age of New Zealand’s judicial system. The Land Transport Management Bill is due for report back on 9 June and has a high priority for passage thereafter.

Major legislation to be introduced includes amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, which are scheduled for passage prior to the expiry of the moratorium on applications for genetic modification in October. An aquaculture reform bill will be introduced to put in place a new framework for the development and regulation of aquaculture. It will give regional councils more involvement in the regulatory process and will give both industry and the public more certainty about where aquaculture development can and cannot take place. The Families Commission legislation will give effect to the policy announced at the end of last year. The passage of that legislation will implement a key part of the confidence and supply agreement reached with United Future, and reflects the important role of families in our society. Legislation on asset testing will also be prepared.

New legislation regulating the building industry will be introduced, and will address issues highlighted by the leaky-building saga. The hands-off regulatory regime introduced in the 1990s clearly has not worked satisfactorily. New legislation should allow for appropriate flexibility and innovation in design, while still giving customers confidence that their homes will meet acceptable standards.

Other significant areas of policy review and development will include the review of the Employment Relations Act after its first 3 years of operation, policies to promote a work-life balance in line with the coalition agreement between Labour and the Progressive Coalition party, and consideration of expansion of the paid parental leave scheme. Work is under way on policy to improve support for low-income families, and to provide further assistance to families to move into employment and build better futures for themselves and their children. This year’s Budget will see us take the first steps in the change process, with further major changes being planned for the 2004 Budget.

Last week an OECD report covering the situation of young people made for grim reading. Some of it was out of date, and in respect of youth offending the report was inaccurate. Youth suicide figures are down significantly on the 1998 figures quoted. None the less, the Government believes that child and youth development is a critical area for attention, and has identified it as one of the four priority areas in the sustainable development programme of action. The Agenda for Children and the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa, both released last year, provide clear direction on the way forward. The challenge now is to get a coordinated approach across Government agencies, and to work effectively with non-governmental organisations. Our children and young people deserve to grow up in supportive families with adequate incomes, to have a secure home, to have their health and education needs met, to live lives free from violence and crime, and to be able to fulfil their potential as human beings. Children and young people are our future, and we neglect them at our peril.

Following the horrific dog attack on a young girl last week, Government and public attention is again focused on the state of our dog laws. I believe we must ensure that animal control officers have the powers they need in order to take dangerous dogs out of circulation. Parliament should consider whether it is practicable to designate dangerous breeds and their crossbreeds, and then to ensure that they are leashed and muzzled whenever they are out of containment. Increased penalties for breaking the law should be considered, and enforcement of the law needs to be stepped up across the country.

Of particular interest to Māoridom this year will be the launch of the new Māori Television Service, the development of legislation to implement the fisheries allocation decisions, and the completion of negotiations on more treaty settlements and the passage of legislation to effect them. Some Opposition parties have signalled their intention to focus on issues relating to Māoridom and the Treaty of Waitangi this year, in a way that, I believe, is divisive and destructive. The Government will be continuing its partnerships with Māoridom for economic and social development. The Hui Taumata Matauranga facilitated by Ministers and the leader of Tuwharetoa, Tumu te Heuheu, is an example of the positive relationships that are being built. Across New Zealand there is enormous activity in Māoridom focused on development, and that momentum and renaissance should be celebrated by us all.

The Government will also be ensuring that more information about the Treaty of Waitangi is made available, so that the public can debate its significance in an informed way. It is unfortunate that so many of us know so little about this aspect of our country’s history, and about how it relates to the nation we are building. At a minimum, the Treaty of Waitangi enabled two peoples to coexist. At the maximum, it provided the basis for building relationships of respect and recognition that can endure down through the generations. It is in that positive spirit that I believe we must continue to build our unique and special nation, which is now home to the peoples of many lands. It is unfortunate the Opposition does not want to be part of that building.

In recent months the focus of the international community has been on the crisis over Iraq. Last November, in resolution 1441, the United Nations Security Council determined that Iraq was in material breach of its disarmament obligations under a series of Security Council resolutions, and warned Iraq of serious consequences if it did not comply with the new resolution. After passage of resolution 1441, UN weapons inspectors returned to Iraq. Their leaders reported to the Security Council on 27 January. Under the resolution, the onus is on Iraq to provide answers to unanswered questions. Evidence has not been found in those inspections of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. But, because Iraq has not adequately accounted for material that was left unaccounted for in 1998, suspicions remain that it has retained a capacity to produce chemical and biological weapons.

The head of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, Hans Blix, reported on 27 January that Iraq was cooperating on process, but not on substance, with the UN’s requirements. He wants answers to specific questions about materials and missiles related to chemical and biological weapons, he wants unimpeded access to scientists who may be involved, and he wants guarantees that U2 surveillance planes will not be shot down if used. Iraq should meet his requests in full. Meanwhile, the United States has positioned large numbers of forces and equipment in the Middle East for use against Iraq. A small number of other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, have also done so.

Last week, United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, address the Security Council. He did not present further concrete evidence of Iraq’s weapons programmes, but he did present a case based on intelligence that strongly suggested a pattern of deception and concealment of such programmes. Following that presentation, Mr Blix and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr ElBaradei, have returned to Iraq to impress on it that only full compliance with the UN’s requirements that it disarm and be seen to disarm will prevent the serious consequences warned of in resolution 1441. They will report back to the Security Council this Friday.

The New Zealand Government, like most Governments, has sought to uphold the principles of multilateralism, the international rule of law, and the authority of the Security Council throughout this crisis.

We do not support unilateral action against Iraq. We place considerable weight on the inspection and disarmament process that has been established. We have a strong preference for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. We recognise that the Security Council can authorise the use of force, as a last resort, to uphold its resolutions. We do not believe that such authorisation would be justified while the weapons inspectors are still engaged, fruitfully, in their inspections with the objective of disarming Iraq, and we support them continuing their work.

The reality is, however, that unless there are now dramatic developments within Iraq itself and in its level of cooperation with the inspectors, there is likely to be armed intervention, with or without the backing of the UN Security Council. I repeat, today, our Government’s call to Iraq to move rapidly to prevent the catastrophe that war would bring to its people. If the Security Council were to sanction the use of force, New Zealand, as a United Nations member, would be obliged to uphold the resolution and would consider what contribution it could make. That contribution would most likely be in the form of humanitarian, medical, or logistical support. It could probably most usefully be made at the end stage of the conflict, when the huge task of meeting Iraq’s needs for reconstruction and humanitarian support would have to be tackled by the international community. Government officials are now looking at how New Zealand could work with the international community to meet those needs, subsequent to military action. The New Zealand Defence Force’s engineering and mine-clearance expertise is well regarded in the United Nations, and may be called on. Some kind of peacekeeping operation could also be established by the UN.

By this time next week, the world will have a clearer picture of whether there will be war in Iraq. The New Zealand Government supports the weapons inspectors continuing their work, if they report that they believe they can continue to make progress. That has to be preferable to the consequences of war on the people of Iraq, and to the implications that war could have for the wider Middle East, for international terrorism, and for the United Nations itself.

Iraq is, of course, not the world’s only trouble spot. North Korea’s admission of a nuclear weapons programme, and its intention to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, are of great concern. The nuclear stand-off between India and Pakistan last year heightened concern about nuclear weapons proliferation, and reinforces the need for New Zealand to be proactive on disarmament issues internationally. Progress on an Israeli-Palestinian settlement is badly needed, and our Government will continue to press for more resolute Commonwealth action on Zimbabwe.

The gravity of those issues leads New Zealand to be engaged in the international consideration and resolution of them. But, as I have outlined in today’s statement, this Government has a very heavy domestic programme. Our sights are firmly set on lifting New Zealand’s economic performance, on ensuring that the rewards of that are widely shared, and on building a cohesive, inclusive, and both forward-looking and outward-looking nation.

This minority coalition Government’s success owes much to the commitment of the Progressive Coalition party to stable and progressive Government. It also owes much to the stability provided by United Future as a confidence and supply partner, and we will continue to build on that relationship this year. The working arrangements we have with the Green Party are also important in progressing legislation, which is critical to this social democratic Government. I look forward to a year of steady progress on the agenda outlined today, as we work to offer more opportunity and security, and a better quality of life, to all New Zealanders.