Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister on his visits to Fiji, Nuie and the lack of funding for cancer drugs in the 2024 Budget

Last week’s Budget announcement had National break one of their campaign promises. 

Christopher Luxon says he understands people's frustration with the lack of funding for cancer drugs in last week's Budget. 

National campaigned on spending about $280 million on 13 treatments in last year's election but was unable to include it in the Budget. 

The Government says it's now working on a plan to fund the medicines. 

The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking that the delay to funding is regrettable, but it's the result of the situation the Government has inherited from the last government. 

He says $1.8 billion of Pharmac funding had been switched off, which the Government had to switch back on again. 

Luxon's visiting Fiji and Niue this week, his first visit to the region as PM. 

He says the Pacific is an important part of New Zealand's foreign policy.  

He will meet with his counterpart in Fiji during a trip which will have significant trade and economic focus.  

Luxon told Mike Hosking that it's a chance to build rapport with Niue.  

He says Fiji is a chance to talk more about the security and economic interests we share. 

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