The only people to benefit from Clarks announcement today were the consultants who between them got a million dollars. There is nothing in it for everyday New Zealanders who want progress, says National Party Leader Bill English.

"The Clark speech at best is a body bag for good idea's.

"It does explain why we are so poor we can't pay our nurses, it does explain why we are so poor we can't fix our roads without a petrol tax increase, or why education is in such a shambles that parents are having to pay for a so called free education.

"This speech by Clark today shows she has never been serious about taking New Zealand ahead, about creating a country that can hold its place in the world.

"New Zealand has produced some outstanding leaders but this speech shows that Helen Clark is not one of them. She may be at home in the ski fields of North America but she does not understand the bread and butter issues of her own country.

"Eighty five per cent of New Zealand businesses employ five or less people and yet they gain nothing from today's announcement.

"The rhetoric may well talk about a comprehensive growth strategy but as always Labour is handicapped by their business attitude.

"I, like many others were disappointed by today's speech. We were promised a masterstroke, and we were promised something that would excite us all. We were invited through the front pages of our papers to a four-course meal, yet we received yesterdays fish and chips warmed up again.

"I am even more surprised at the Government giving this such a big build up and this clearly shows this speech is more about politics that progressing the economy.

" Clark failed to deliver to a promise to New Zealand business and we will have no trouble filling that vacuum. I am looking forward over the next few months to rolling out policies that will be ambitious for New Zealand," says Mr English.

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