✨ Speech from the Throne
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 125
Speech from the Throne.
Honourable Members of the House of Representatives.
It is a privilege for me to exercise the prerogative of Her Majesty the Queen and open the 47th Parliament.
On 27 July, the people of New Zealand voted to return a Labour-Progressive Coalition government. That government is a minority one. That will mean that by the end of this three year term, seven of the first nine years under the Mixed Member Proportional system will have been spent under minority governments. This may well be the way of the future as well.
Nevertheless it is clear that the people of New Zealand voted for a continuation of the general policy direction followed since 1999. There was very limited support either for a reversion to the policies of the 1990s or for any radical change in direction.
This is not a reason for complacency or self-satisfaction. My government has set itself tough goals to achieve over the next three years and into the longer term future. But the people have signalled that they wish those goals pursued in a way consistent with New Zealanders’ underlying values of fairness and justice, security and opportunity.
My government is committed to following an inclusive agenda which enables all New Zealanders to be valued and encouraged to contribute to the richness and wellbeing of our nation.
My government recognises that to move New Zealand towards those goals requires active cooperation with other political parties as well as with key stakeholding interests in the wider community.
Honourable Members,
My government’s stability is underpinned by three agreements.
The first agreement is the coalition between the Labour Party and the Progressive Coalition. This agreement clearly states that its objective is stable government over the next term of Parliament so as to implement a comprehensive policy programme aimed at increasing economic growth, reducing inequality and improving the social and economic wellbeing of New Zealanders and their families in a manner which is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
The coalition agreement recognises and accepts the need for distinctive party political identities within government, especially in relation to the smaller party being able to maintain a separate but responsible identity.
This means that agree to disagree provisions will apply where necessary and this extends to the expression of alternative views in Parliament.
The Progressive Coalition has indicated its general policy priorities as being employment, support for low income families, health and education, and specific priorities which will be referred to shortly.
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Online Sources for this page:
VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 2002, No 125
Gazette.govt.nz —
NZ Gazette 2002, No 125
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Speech from the Throne delivered by the Governor-General
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🏛️ Governance & Central AdministrationGovernor-General, Speech from the Throne, Parliament, Labour-Progressive Coalition, Policy Direction