Kia ora Mr Speaker.

Statement to Parliament

Hon. John Key

Prime Minister

9 February 2010

Presented to the House of Representatives in accordance with Standing Order 345

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The Government starts 2010 with a very full programme of reform in front of it.

Young people will be getting their voice heard when they take over New Zealand's Parliament in July for Youth Parliament 2010. Northland MP Hon John Carter has now opened his selection process for Youth Parliament 2010.

As the Parliamentary year officially begins tomorrow, it's time to call on young people to stand up and be counted in Youth Parliament 2010.

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams has released the log of his text messages to John Key going back 4 months to August 2009which show there were only three texts in this whole period and no texts at 3.30am as described in the New Zealand Herald today.

This week we have observed another White Ribbon Day. Laudable statements have been made by the heads of our government agencies, celebrities, and politicians that violence against women will not be tolerated in New Zealand.

Overnight, American actor Jon Voight, the father of actress Angelina Jolie, condemned New Zealand's health care system (amongst others) at an anti-universal health care protest in Washington DC.

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Labour MP Darien Fenton is sponsoring a petition from the Migrant Action Trust and 2,626 others which will be tabled in Parliament today.

Organiser of the anti-smacking referendum Larry Baldock is hoping the Clerk of the House of Representatives may approve the new CIR petition in time for those attending the March for Democracy in Auckland this Saturday to be able to take a copy home with them.

Over 53,000 people have signed petitions calling on the Government to reverse night class cuts which will be damaging to individuals, communities and the opportunities available to them, says Labour's Tertiary Education spokesperson Maryan Street.