DAMIEN SMITH (ACT): First of all, it's an absolute honour to be in the presence of the future finance Minister from the Labour Party tonight. I can see that coming. The Government has chosen to pursue these reforms without majority support. The relationship between the Reserve Bank and the finance Minister is critical to the functioning of a modern economy. The roll-back of independence of the Reserve Bank is extremely concerning for the functioning of the New Zealand economy and the sound economic consensus which has proven to be kept with low inflation and a stable operating environment for business.