At the start of the first day’s sitting of the New Zealand Parliament for 2012 on 7 February, tribute was paid to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. The Prime Minister, Rt Hon. John Key, MP, in moving the House’s congratulations, said that “in her speech as she ascended to the throne, [the Queen] promised to follow the example of service and devotion provided by her father, King George VI. For six decades the Queen has kept that undertaking. These have been decades
during which the concept of the British Empire has receded and the importance of the Commonwealth has come to the fore. And over 60 years New Zealand has orientated itself on the world map differently: less the Antipodes and all that that implies, more a modern and assertive nation with a central role in the Pacific. We have developed our own sense of identity”. He added: “The dignity,
wisdom, and assurance that the Queen brings to her role as New Zealand’s head of State supersedes maps and distances. Throughout the changes of the past 60 years her status as our Sovereign has given many of us a sense of stability and confidence. Her role is a link with systems of constitutional government that have histories much longer
than our own, and with traditions that move and inspire us.”
The Leader of the
Opposition, Mr David Shearer, described the Queen’s reign as
future, hoping someone will dig up some wealth, and cutting public services. That is what the government has in store for New Zealand: sell, cut, hope. It is tired, old theory and it fails to grasp one of the core opportunities that lie in front of New Zealand: the opportunity to base our future on ideas and policies that see the economy and the environment as two sides of the same coin. “The notion that in order to
Rt Hon. John Key, MP
“one of an unwavering commitment and dedication to service. It is a commitment that has spanned the service of 14 New Zealand Prime Ministers and 12 British Prime Ministers.” Mr Shearer acknowledged that “over the last 60 years much has changed in New Zealand, and there will inevitably be some discussion about our future constitutional arrangements. But that is a debate for another day”.
Continuation and conclusion of address in reply debate Mr Grant Robertson (Deputy Leader—Labour), speaking in the continuation of the Address in Reply debate on 7 February, said: “The [government’s] plan to lift our economic sights comes down to selling off our
grow our economy we must compromise our environment comes from another century. For Labour, we recognize that our future lies in the development of companies and people who are smart, clean, and green.” Deputy Prime Minister and
Finance Minister Hon. Bill English, MP, responded that “with the old arrogance of the Labour Party, the deputy leader is saying there is a balance between the economy and the environment, as if that is some new idea. No one has thought of that before! The government’s first priority is to get back to surplus—to manage the government finances prudently to get back to surplus by 2014-15. To continue the process of rebuilding New Zealand’s international competitiveness is our second priority. The third one is to deliver better public services, and the final one is to rebuild Christchurch”. Dr Kennedy Graham
(Green) described the Prime
Minister’s policy agenda delivered by the Governor General in the 2011 Speech from the Throne as a “rational, if rather pedestrian, plan by a practical, if rather visionless, government. Where, for example, is this government’s vision for a brighter future for the people—for a more inclusive and harmonious New Zealand society? “Where is this government’s
vision to make New Zealand a responsible global citizen? A strong economy certainly enables financial resources with a view to returning to surplus, but it does not, on its own, buy social and environmental justice and responsibility. “These must be envisioned and enacted. The Green vision
Hon. Bill English, MP
for a strong economy is one that is fully entwined with environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It is a vision that lives within our means and lives up to our clear,