Ministers to front Post-Cabinet press conference

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will front today’s post-Cabinet press conference at 4pm, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern isolating after her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive for Covid-19. 

Robertson will be joined by Chris Hipkins in his capacity as Education Minister, where they are expected to make another pre-Budget announcement, this time relating to jobs and training. 

The ministers are also likely to face questions over the Government’s approach to crime amid a wave of youth ram raids, the climate change emissions budgets announced this morning, and the new BA.5 Covid-19 variant that was found in the country yesterday. 

The Prime Minister is isolating rather than using the exemption scheme for critical workers for two reasons: their daughter Neve and because she is not technically considered a critical worker. 

While Ardern has had to cancel some events – including a visit to Hawkes’ Bay – she says she can do most events and meetings remotely, including chairing Cabinet, delivering a pre-Budget speech to Business NZ on Wednesday and taking part in Question Time and speeches in Parliament. 

This morning the Act Party released its “alternative budget” where it proposed a range of cuts to public spending. 

Shortly after, National Party deputy leader and finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis delivered a speech outlining her party’s approach, focusing on the “squeezed middle”. 

The Budget is to be delivered May 19, with a focus on climate change and health. 

– by John Weekes and Michael Neilson, NZ Herald