Hon Bill English MP - Video

Video briefing on housing affordability

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:27:00 +1200

The housing market is picking up, which presents a challenge to Government policy makers concerned with affordable housing. Finance Minister Bill English discusses the issues involved in improving housing affordability.

Video: Update on the economy

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:44:47 +1300

In this edition of the Finance Minister's regular series of briefings on the economy Bill English talks about the Government's priorities over the coming three years and some of what lies ahead as the Government moves to make those commitments work.

Video briefing on the economy

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:41:13 +1300

22 December. Finance Minister Bill English looks back over developments in 2011 - particularly events in Christchurch - and talks a bit about the agenda for 2012. He says that New Zealand's is a "fundamentally resilient economy" regardless of what happens elsewhere in the world.

Briefing on the economy: Credit ratings downgrades and more

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:05:05 +1300

12 October 2011. Finance Minister Bill English talks about the state of the economy in general, with particular focus on the credit rating downgrades - why they happened and what they mean for us.

Video briefing on mixed ownership model

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:06:06 +1200

07 September 2011. The Finance Minister, Bill English, discusses the mixed ownership model The Government is proposing for the partial sale of four electricity companies.

Briefing on the Economy - Debt and Resiliance

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:50:04 +1200

08 August. Finance Minister Bill English talks about the US economy, the global debt problem, what it means for New Zealand and why our economy is relatively well-placed to weather any shocks in the pipeline.

Video briefing on the economy - July 2011

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:25:40 +1200

July 2011. Finance Minister Bill English talks about the "lifting sense of confidence" that's developing in the business community, the remarkable growth over the last quarter, and evidence of genuine resilience - particularly in the greater Christchurch region.

Finance Minister's Briefing on the Economy

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:40:14 +1200

20 June briefing on the economy from Finance Minister Bill English in which he speaks about the growing confidence in the economy, why that confidence is well-placed and what the Government is doing to assist the recovery.

Finance Minister Press Conference on AMI

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:52:36 +1200

07 April. Finance Minister Bill English today announced back-up financial support for AMI policyholders. This support will give policyholders certainty and helps ensure an orderly rebuild of Christchurch. The video contains his announcement and Q&A with media.

Briefing on the Economy - Finance Minister Bill English

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:45:46 +1300

18 March. Finance Minister Bill English discusses the impact of the latest Christchurch earthquake on the Government's budget, especially given the commitment of the Government to supporting earthquake victims and rebuilding the city.

Video: Finance Minister Bill English on earthquake costs

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:24:43 +1300

07 March. Finance Minister Bill English looks at some of what's involved in meeting the costs of recovery for the Christchurch earthquakes.

Press Conference: On the costs of the earthquake

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:18:46 +1300

01 March 2011. This video contains the Finance Minister's opening statement on the Government's next steps in meeting the costs of the Christchurch earthquake and his full interaction with the media.

Video and Statement on the Christchurch earthquake

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:41:58 +1300

22 February 2011. Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Civil Defence Minister John Carter. Press conference on today's earthquake in Christchurch.

Statement:

Firstly I want to extend my sympathies and condolences to the people of Canterbury. Today's earthquake has caused huge damage and reports are flowing in of serious injuries and loss of life.

I'm sure all New Zealanders will join with me in offering our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all those families who are affected.

Before I go into outlining the some of the details on the ground, I want to say that our full efforts as a Government will be deployed to help the people of Canterbury deal with this disaster.

The Prime Minister has just left for Christchurch after chairing an emergency meeting of the Cabinet. Ministers are ensuring their departments can do all they can to assist the people of Canterbury and Ministers will reconvene in about two hours time to discuss next steps.

In terms of what is happening on the ground, government agencies and emergency services are still putting together a picture of the damage and devastation. Information is still coming through, this is a fast-moving situation and we will update you as we establish more ourselves.

The Prime Minister will touch down in Christchurch within the hour and will provide further updates then.

In terms of the factual situation on the ground:

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has declared a state of emergency in Christchurch.
Police are evacuating central Christchurch and have asked for the help of the Defence Force, which is moving to establish a presence in Christchurch.
Two Urban Search and Rescue teams have been flown in from other parts of the country.
The Prime Minister has spoken with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who passed on her sympathies and thoughts. We have requested the help of an Australian search and rescue team.
We would like to acknowledge offers of international help and we will be taking up offers of help and expertise as and where appropriate.
We are aware of a number of fatalities, but are unable to confirm the exact number. Those details will be available from police as they come to hand.
Christchurch hospital is open. Some patients in one part of the hospital have been evacuated due to power outage but the hospital is otherwise operational.
Ambulances from around the South Island are heading to Christchurch and other South Island hospitals are clearing surgery lists and non-urgent patients so they can take casualties.
Power is widely out but we've been assured by Transpower and private power companies that they are working as fast they can to get power back on, but this could take some time.
Christchurch airport remains closed, with runways being assessed as a precautionary measure.
Lyttelton Tunnel is closed, but the Rakaia and Waimakariri Bridges on State Highway One remain open.
Phone lines are operational but there is significant overloading and we would ask people to only make essential calls and use texting where possible.

Civil Defence Minister will now make some comments about the civil defence situation.

Video: Botany visit with Jami-Lee Ross

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:31:37 +1300

Fresh from his speech on the Government's big infrastrucutre programme (http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-infrastructure-investment-supporting-jobs) Bill English visits Stevenson's Engineering in Botany with by-election candidate Jami-Lee Ross.

Briefing on the economy

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:03:34 +1300

Finance Minister Bill English lays out the basic economic agenda for the Government in the new year, paying special attention to savings and the upcoming Budget.