Labour lays out goals, confirms free vaccine

The Labour Government has confirmed the Covid-19 vaccine will be free in a speech setting out its goals for the term.

The Government’s wider plan for this term of Parliament was laid out by the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, as the Queen’s representative, in the Speech from the Throne yesterday, with a heavy focus on Covid19 and the economic response to it. It noted other ‘‘crises’’ such as climate change, child poverty, and homelessness would not be neglected while fighting Covid-19.

The speech, written by the Government, began by noting Labour’s historic win – the first single-party majority since MMP (mixed-member proportional representation) was introduced – saying Kiwis wanted certainty in ‘‘a time of unparalleled international crisis’’.

‘‘In this year of crisis, protecting New Zealand and the lives and livelihoods of New Zealanders has been the urgent and abiding consideration. It remains so,’’ the speech read.

It repeated much of Labour’s election manifesto, with promises to build 18,000 public homes, raise the minimum wage, repealing and replacing the Resource Management Act, and support for a swift economic recovery from Covid-19 with huge investment in infrastructure and training incentives. But it also sought to signal other problems would be addressed as part of the rebuild.

‘‘Crises do not form an orderly line waiting to be addressed.

‘‘Three of the country’s longest-standing and hardest issues demand continued and determined action: affordable housing and homelessness, child poverty, and the global climate crisis,’’ the governor-general said.

‘‘The Government means to build on the foundations laid in the first term. New Zealand must