Jim Anderton has again blown the Government’s hopes of building bridges to business and restoring business confidence with his statement that the “fragility” of the business community underscores the need for this Government’s approach.

ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide today said Jim Anderton is calling for a change of policy direction and is declaring the country’s policy framework a failure. “He considers re-nationalising ACC and the Employment Relations Bill a ‘couple of minor changes to the policy framework’,” said Rodney Hide.

Mr Hide said the ‘minor changes’ that are costing jobs and growth are clearly not enough for Jim Anderton. “Jim Anderton must come clean on the policy he wants,” he said.

“Jim Anderton is Deputy Prime Minister. He must take responsibility for these incendiary statements the week before the Government’s first Budget. He should spell out clearly just what he thinks Government must do. Otherwise we will continue to have a Government in turmoil and confusion on economic policy,” he said.

“We then need the Finance Minister Michael Cullen to tell us whether he agrees with Jim Anderton, yes or no,” he said.

“Until Government reaches an agreed and sensible line on the economy, it’s impossible for businesses to have any confidence in Helen Clark, Jim Anderton and Michael Cullen,” he said.

“Jim Anderton should come clean on what he wants. So too should Michael Cullen. We need to know what these two intend,” said Rodney Hide.

ENDS

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