Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
One month has passed since the PM announced the support package
to Christchurch businesses following the earthquake.
Apart from the support packages
Cabinet is also discussing how to revive Christchurch.
Our reporter Jasmyn Pearson is live from Parliament.
What will happen with government support packages now?
We have just heard that assistance packages will continue,
but criteria will be a little more stringent.
Another issue was the package for Christchurch businesses
which paid their staff for six weeks from the earthquake
to help them on their feet again.
That will fund will be decreased, but we don't know by how much
What is the government's long-term planning looking like?
Just going back to what I said, assistance will be reduced,
but assistance to help businesses to relocate still also stands.
We must remember that these are short-term solutions,
six weeks, to ease the pressure.
So soon we shall know what the long term solutions are.
On that thought, in recent weeks a number of laws
have passed through Parliament recently regarding the earthquake.
The Opposition are concerned that the National government
could be using the earthquake for their own agenda.
Are they right to be concerned?
That's nothing new to be coming from the Opposition while they're down,
but a concern was raised after the Takutai Moana Bill was passed.
The concern of some Maori was that government may be hoping
to settle all claims
while the earthquake is one of the major issues at this time.
Another concern expressed today was that the quake could become
a means of undermining terms of the Treaty settlement with Ngai Tahu.
Because in crisis time
the government has the power to move the posts.
The long-term goal for Christchurch,
in the end the Canterbury councils or Ngai Tahu
can not carry the entire debt.
A new ministry has been established
to oversee the government's entire involvement.
The head of the ministry has been named,
but it is unknown how much involvement Ngai Tahu
or Waitaha will have.
We should know soon.
Jasmyn Pearson, live from Parliament, thank you.