KEY POINTS:
Prime Minister John Key will be back in the Beehive for the first cabinet meeting of the year on Tuesday - with his right arm in plaster.
Mr Key broke his arm in two places when he tripped and fell on stairs leaving the stage at a Chinese New Year celebration at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, Auckland, yesterday, his spokesman said today.
This morning he sought specialist medical attention.
"The arm is now in a cast and Mr Key has a further appointment with a specialist tomorrow to see whether an operation will be necessary," the spokesman said.
"At this stage Mr Key is planning to carry on his usual schedule tomorrow."
Tuesday's cabinet is expected to focus on the economic situation.
Mr Key last week called his five economic ministers to the Beehive to discuss the latest Treasury update, which forecast growth would come to a standstill this year and unemployment could almost double to about 170,000 by 2011.
Ministers are working on plans to help businesses get through the downturn caused by the international financial and economic crisis and Mr Key will outline the first measures on February 4.
He has called an employment summit for February 27 in Auckland when strategies will be discussed by business and union leaders.
- NZPA
