Media Release
John Luxton
National Industry and Regional Development spokesperson
24 January 2001

Industry NZ soaks up regional development funding

Jim Anderton was right when he said the Government’s new economic development programme would "get a lot wrong," National Industry and Regional Development spokesperson John Luxton said today.

Mr Luxton has received a breakdown in the costs of Industry New Zealand, which have recently been decided by the Government.

"This year’s total operating budget for Industry New Zealand is $12.5 million, when total grants to be made by Industry New Zealand for the year are expected to be $13.8 million.

"The operating budget is likely to be spent in the major cities of New Zealand doing very little for regional development.

"Evidence to date suggests that Industry New Zealand is more about propaganda for the Government in the regions than real assistance in those areas," Mr Luxton said.

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