Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne today announced the make-up of the interim expert advisory committee that will help set the safety testing regime for legal highs under the incoming Psychoactive Substances Bill.

The 2014/15 surplus is not ‘wafer thin’, it comes from massaging from the numbers, rather than growth, Labour’s Revenue and Associate Finance Spokesperson David Cunliffe said.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced Budget 2013 will provide an additional $1.2 million for wilding pines control and eradication work at Mid Dome in Southland.

This year’s Budget has once again confirmed that National’s commitment to improving New Zealand’s awful workplace death and injury toll is hollow, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s Health and Safety spokesperson.

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment - which limits protest at sea - apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today.

Contrary to Green Party claptrap that more and better roads don’t reduce congestion, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee today welcomed further evidence they do.

"And what’s more, private and commercial vehicle operating costs are falling along with emissions," Mr Brownlee says.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says Labour is continuing its campaign to mislead the public and undermine confidence in the Police.

"Our Police deserve praise for making our communities safer and for the drop in crime in each of the past three years," says Mrs Tolley.

New Zealand First is disappointed at the Government sneaking through a piece of legislation, which will breach the rights of disabled adults and their family members.

"They should be ashamed of themselves," says Disability Issues spokesperson, Barbara Stewart.

Government spending increases for some services for older people will help, but do not go far enough, according to Age Concern New Zealand.

That the Government can find $40 million to help fund private schools but won’t spend just a third of that to feed hungry kids is nothing short of obscene, Labour's spokesperson for Children, Jacinda Ardern, says.