Prime Minister John Key will join Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Albany, Western Australia this weekend to mark the 100th anniversary of ANZAC troops departing for World War One.
“New Zealand and Australia share a unique and close heritage. We have stood together in times of war and helped each other in times of disaster,” says Mr Key.
Cabinet has agreed on the details of the flag referendum process and every political party represented in Parliament has been invited to take part, say Prime Minister John Key and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English.
“Our flag is the most important symbol of our national identity and I believe that this is the right time for New Zealanders to consider changing the design to one that better reflects our status as a modern, independent nation,” Mr Key says.
Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced applications are open for the third round of funding in the Tourism Growth Partnership.
The $32 million contestable Government fund aims to boost innovation and productivity in the tourism sector. For each project approved for investment, the Government provides up to 50 per cent of the required funding.
Prime Minister John Key today announced the appointments of Chris Hodson QC as the chair of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security’s Advisory Panel and Angela Foulkes ONZM as a member of the Panel.
The appointments were made by the Governor General and each is for a term of two years.
“These are the first appointments to the Advisory Panel, which was newly created with amendments to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996 in September last year,” says Mr Key.
Prime Minister John Key has expressed his deepest sympathies to those affected by this morning’s events in Canada.
“The reasons behind the fatal shooting in Ottawa this morning are not yet known, but it is clearly a senseless act of violence,” says John Key.
“I wish to extend New Zealand’s sincere condolences to the people of Canada who will be shaken by this violent act.”
“I will personally extend those thoughts and wishes to Prime Minister Harper.
Prime Minister John Key has welcomed New Zealand securing a place on the United Nations Security Council for the 2015-16 term.
“New Zealand’s success in gaining a place on the Security Council is a victory for the small states that make up over half the United Nations membership,” Mr Key says.
Cabinet today approved the Terms of Reference for a review of settings in relation to foreign terrorist fighters, says Prime Minister John Key.
“Foreign fighters taking part in, or returning from any sort of conflict zone are a concern for many countries,” says Mr Key.
“Our intelligence agencies are aware of the risk and are focused on addressing it.
