Government Programme Lacks Vision

Tuesday 27 Aug 2002

The Government's programme as outlined in the Governor General's message shows Labour has not learned why it lost eleven percent support during the election, ACT Leader Richard Prebble said today.

"The Government is ignoring the public's opposition to the early release of violent offenders from prison. The problem of hospital waiting lists is ignored. The Government is continuing to dumb down education with the NCEA.

"The public's desire for a timetable for Treaty claims is arrogantly ignored.

"While the Government claims it wants faster growth to return New Zealand to the top half of the OCED, Labour continues to impose on business the highest rate of company tax of any of our trading partners.

"Changes in employment law making it difficult for firms to contract out will further discourage companies from offering employment.

"While Labour proposed during the election campaign to cut red tape, not only is that promise forgotten, but changes to the Holidays Act and parental leave will impose higher compliance costs on business.

"ACT is also concerned that Labour appears to be about to reduce tax on foreign investment, but not for New Zealand companies.

"The whole package lacks coherent framework or any real vision of how to return New Zealand to the top half of the OECD," Mr Prebble said.

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