Good morning Mr Chairman and members of the Committee and thank you for having us. My name is Don Nicolson and I am the President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee today announced a suite of changes to New Zealand's electricity system to improve competition and constrain price increases, increase security of supply, and ensure effective and stream-lined governance.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard's confirmation that the Reserve Bank is introducing new complementary monetary policy tools accords with Labour's call for reform, Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe and Associate Finance spokesperson David Parker said today.

Hon Dr Nick Smith Minister for Climate Change

25 November 2009 Speech

Third Reading

Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill 2009

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The Government has secured the support of the Māori Party to enable New Zealand to implement an affordable and workable emissions trading scheme next year, Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith says.

Television New Zealand has finally admitted that it got it wrong in creating the Bill English promo for its TVNZ7 series on the economy, says Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

Revelations that Climate Change Minister Nick Smith's proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme are going to cost taxpayers an extra $105 billion is something really worth swearing about, Dr Russel Norman, Green Party Co-Leader said today.

Today's Reserve Bank Financial Stability Report reinforces findings in the Parliamentary Banking Inquiry, particularly relating to margins charged by banks and to the need for more policy work in terms of banking, monetary and taxation policies, says Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.