John Key MP
National Party Finance Spokesman
11 May 2006

Labour whistling in wind over expat campaign

Labour is whistling in the wind if it believes its $400,000 advertising campaign to lure expats back home will succeed, says National Finance spokesman John Key.

“The nearly half a million New Zealanders now living in and calling Australia home are not going to be lured back by a clumsy advertising drive.

“This was totally mistimed. The campaign was announced just as the Australian Government delivered whopping tax cuts for the fourth year in a row.

“That contrasts with the seven years of inaction from the New Zealand Government in addressing the skills drain.

“Michael Cullen is dreaming if he believes anyone will be lured back by this campaign. Money talks and Australia is committed to delivering a fair go for its workforce and sharing the benefits of prosperity.

“The Government should wake up and realise that it’s not bringing people home that’s the issue – it’s about staunching the flow of 680 people a week who are leaving for greener pastures.”

ENDS

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