Media statement
For immediate release
Monday, 29 August 2005

Dunne: Greens' caveman economics threaten free trade

United Future leader, Peter Dunne said today the cornerstone of New Zealand's economic prosperity - free trade - could be sacrificed if the Greens were part of a coalition government after the election.

“The Green's have long opposed free trade in their quixotic attempts to remake the world in their own image.

“Back in the real world the living standards of ordinary New Zealand families and communities rely on greater access to overseas markets and growth in the value of our exports.

"New Zealand cannot afford the Caveman Economics advocated by the Greens,” said Mr Dunne.

"During the next 12-18 months, whichever government is elected will have to grapple with a challenging balance of payments problem.

“The last thing New Zealand needs in that situation is Nandor Tanzcos or Keith Locke around the Cabinet table advocating policies that will undermine investor confidence, deter trade and make it tougher for New Zealand businesses to export to overseas markets.

"The only guarantee of commonsense, stable government is to put United Future into the next government with sufficient strength to negotiate sensible economic policies that will help New Zealand compete in the realities of today's global marketplace,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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