Question Time 09 April 2025

1. Uffindell to Nicola (SU 5, NW 5) Change in the effective tax rate. OCR has fallen two percentage points in 9 months. Variable interest rates may fall. 'The imposition of tariffs ... is likely to unleash both inflationary and disinflationary forces.' - Nicola 'Fiscal policy can either be helpful or it can be helpful.' - Nicola.
   

2. Rawiri to Prime Omelette (RW 5, PO 5) 'A platform to promote the erasure of Māori rights' - Rawiri, complaining about Act. PM isn't answering, as he has no responsibility for The Pink Skull. 'I disagree with the characterisation of that question' - Omelette, after Chippy pointed out that a revised question did fall under his purview. Brownlee is definitely unhappy with the line of questioning, but has given him several chances to alter the questions. Feels like a protest question, which isn't normally the vibe for other parties. 'no tariffs, no trade wars and the rules-based system' - Omelette. He brought up a Labour-Greens capital gains tax, which Kieran said broke the rules, as they weren't involved in the question. 'Our iwi businesses are doing exceptionally well' - Omelette.
   

3. Chippy to Prime Omelette (C 6, PO 4) How does the Treaty Principles Bill unify the country? 'It's going to get voted down ... we found a middle ground and a compromise' - Omelette. Will he speak tomorrow? 'I won't be here tomorrow' - Omelette.
   

4. Rutherford to Bish (TR 5, CB 5) The Melling Road of Regional Significance will begin this year. 40,000 people drive through it. 'Lower Hutt ... is on a flood plain ... there has been a plan to improve flood resilience' and this new road is part of it. - Bish. $1 billion from NZTA, and further money from GWRC and Hutt Councils.
   

5. Barbara to Nicola (BE 5, NW 5) Income testing for Best Start payment... 'I will not be ruling things in and out, because that's a game that gets very boring, very quickly' - Nicola. 'This is a country that need to show the world' - Nicola.
   

6. Hamilton to Stay Puft Police Minister (RH 5, MM 5) Wellingtonians feel safer. 'The evidence is very clear ... the people are with the Police' - Mitchell. 'Get real' - his comment to Tam.
   

7. Willow-Jean to Erica (WJP 5, ES 4) Education. 'The Government is already delivering' - Erica. Why is she cutting learning support teachers? 'The member consistently conflates spend and outcomes for children' - Erica. System reform: that's Erica's goal. Optimising services = corporate bs. It seems a bit more civil on TV, but this question is a donnybrook.
   

8. Chloe to the Prime Omelette (CS 6, PO 4) Defunding contracts from social service providers. 'We are focussing on improving outcomes' - Omelette. Food banks as well! 'Fake news' - Jonesy. 'We have money available through MSD for people that need hardship grants and food support' - Omelette. Good one! Nats are defunding the police by about 6 percent. Update: my benefit is sorted, but I don't get paid until next week.
   

9. Belich to Upston (CB 5, LU 4) On behalf of... public service questions. More cuts. 'We have very deliberately focussed on front line services' - Upston 'Reducing excessive government spending' - Upston. Waste of a question.
   

10. Redmayne to Nicola Grigg (SR 5, NG 5) Sorry, not paying attention! I just got $900 from MSD. Something about sheep and wool. 'Wool is a wonder product' - Grigg. 5 = competent. 6-8 = good.
    

11. Teanau to Jonesy (TT 6, SJ 6) 'The reforms related to fisheries will be of great benefit to every single Kiwi' - Jonesy. More questions about Jonesy's connection to the fishing industry. 'An opportunity for all Kiwis to contribute towards the resilience and robustness of this sector' - Jonesy. Why is he attempting to advance deregulation? Missed that answer. Fishing cameras ... 'I remain very leery of those cameras turning into state surveillance of industry' - Jonesy. Despite the skits, I'm a fan of the oratory that Winston and Shane demonstrate.
    

12. Leary to Doocey (IL 6, MD 6) Mental health. Are his decisions affection workplace safety? 'One of the biggest barriers is our workforce vacancy crisis' - Doocey. Ah, that new associate psychologist thing. My counselor has that level of knowledge, so I'd say that's good (if not ideal). Ginny: is now the time for the police to avoid mental health callouts? 'Police will continue to respond when an offence is being committed' or a threat to immediate safety. - Doocey. He knows this portfolio well. Good questions, but his answers are also good.