Scoop Audio: PM's Post-Cabinet Press Conference 11/4/11
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The PM's press conference this afternoon focussed on the Government's response to Greenpeace protests which have hampered oil exploration off the East Cape. The Goverment has referred the matter to the police and is taking legal advice on whether anything can be done to allow oil company Petrobras to exercise the "legal right" they have been granted to conduct survey work. Mr Key accepted people had a right to protest and that various issues made the matter "more complicated than it seems".
Mr Key said forthcoming legislation would address environmental concerns before any drilling takes place.
In his opening statement Mr Key announced further details of the Royal Commission into the Christchurch earthquake building collapses. Parliament is expected to go into urgency again this week for further Christchurch recovery legislation.
The PM also announced plans to visit the United Kingdom and France, including attending the royal wedding, and noted reports by the Prime Minister's Science Advisor on science education and evidence-based policy.
There was also much discussion of the mixed blessings of the wage gap with Australia and the Government's decision to offer of a rescue package to insurer AMI.