It sounded like a double dose of news of the sort that is apt to lift a Prime Minister’s popularity in political opinion polls and boost support for her party.
One goodie was a public holiday, the other the relaxing of Covid constraints.
This certainly looked like a vote-winner to the political pundits at Point of Order.
But the populist Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, has pounced on what he presumably perceives to be an opportunity to pick up support by expressing opposition to the public holiday.
The other big statement of the day was that the COVID-19 Protection Framework, also known as the traffic light system, was to be removed from 11.59pm last night, Monday 12 September.
Opposition parties essentially responded by complaining this should have been announced long ago.
The holiday proclamation was released in the name of the PM, who said New Zealand will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with a State Memorial Service and one-off public holiday on Monday 26 September.
The State Memorial Service will be held in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on the same day and will be televised and live streamed.
Ardern also confirmed she will represent New Zealand, alongside the Governor General, at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. The Prime Minister will depart New Zealand tomorrow.
According to the statement:
New Zealanders were feeling the loss of the Queen, a true leader who selflessly served the Commonwealth every day of her life, Seymour said.
But the Government should be asking itself if it is fair to put another $450 million of costs on to business in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis?
Point of Order is looking for National’s press statement.
Winston Peters’ statement was posted on the Stuff website, where we also found Seymour’s statement. He insisted:
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
“It’s time to safely turn the page on our COVID-19 management, and live without the extraordinary measures we have previously used,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“Today marks a milestone in our response. Finally, rather than feeling that COVID dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control.”
Opposition parties essentially responded by complaining this should have been announced long ago.
The holiday proclamation was released in the name of the PM, who said New Zealand will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with a State Memorial Service and one-off public holiday on Monday 26 September.
The State Memorial Service will be held in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on the same day and will be televised and live streamed.
“I know many people will want the opportunity to pay their respects and the public holiday offers communities around the country the ability to come together and pay tribute at local events also.
“The decision to hold a one-off Public Holiday in the Queen’s honour is also in line with similar holidays in the UK and Australia, and is in keeping with what is an historic event,” Jacinda Ardern said.
Ardern also confirmed she will represent New Zealand, alongside the Governor General, at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. The Prime Minister will depart New Zealand tomorrow.
According to the statement:
* All political parties were consulted on Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day
* Normal Public Holiday requirements under the Holiday’s Act will apply
* The Public Holiday will be called Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day. Legislation will be passed next week to bring the holiday into force.
* It will be a one-off holiday held on 26 September 2022 only
* Further details of the State Memorial Service will be released at a later date
* Following the Queen’s funeral the Prime Minister will fly to New York for the United Nations General Assembly on the evening of Monday 19 September and resuming her programme for the week there, including co-hosting the Christchurch Call Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and delivering New Zealand’s national statement.
“In a cost-of-living crisis, the ACT Party cannot support yet another public holiday. It would amount to the Government making small business pay for pageantry,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.
New Zealanders were feeling the loss of the Queen, a true leader who selflessly served the Commonwealth every day of her life, Seymour said.
But the Government should be asking itself if it is fair to put another $450 million of costs on to business in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis?
“Treasury estimate an extra public holiday costs $450 million. We doubt the Queen, who was famous for being a careful spender, would endorse such extravagance when people are struggling to make ends meet.
“Businesses have already been through so much over the past few years with Covid, another public holiday for Matariki and endless costs being piled on by Government.”
Point of Order is looking for National’s press statement.
Winston Peters’ statement was posted on the Stuff website, where we also found Seymour’s statement. He insisted:
The last thing the Queen would expect is for us to have another day off when our economy and businesses are in such a fragile state.
The cost of yet another holiday would be over $400million to the economy.
New Zealand had one of the longest lockdowns through covid – second only to the Australian state of Victoria. The economic loss for that cost this country billions.
Show some common sense.
“Keep calm and carry on.”
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
2 comments:
No need for a public holiday.
Those interested in attending a local ceremony, which I suggest will be a tiny % of the population, could just pull a sickie. These are actively encouraged these days, even if you just think you might be getting sick.
india did something surprisingly impressive - announce a day of state mourning on sunday with flags half-mast. i wonder why that can't be replicated here!
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