Opposition cries crocodile tears for investment
Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Economic Development
8 February 2013
Opposition cries crocodile tears for investment
Once again the hypocrisy of the Labour-Greens opposition is exposed by their criticism today of the need to welcome new business investment in New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.
“Both parties have made it clear that they oppose ‘hands-on’ decisions made by this Government to encourage both domestic and international investment for jobs in the New Zealand economy,” Mr Joyce says.
The list of areas where they have opposed investment separately or together is long and varied. It includes:
• Opposed
law changes to allow the Hobbit movies to be produced
here
• Opposed resource management law changes to speed
up investment decisions
• Opposed the plans to build
the Auckland Convention Centre
• Opposed oil & gas
exploration on the East Coast
• Opposed hydraulic
fracturing
• Opposed the investment by Haier in Fisher
& Paykel Appliances
• Opposed speeding up Bathurst
Resources consents at Denniston
• Opposed Chinese
investment
• Opposed international investment
generally
• Opposed tax changes to encourage productive
investment
• Opposed increased irrigation and
intensification of agriculture
• Opposed moves to
lessen the ETS costs on trade-exposed businesses
“Every one of these Government moves, and others, are designed specifically to help grow more jobs in New Zealand for New Zealanders,” Mr Joyce says.
“If we want more jobs in New Zealand, we must be prepared to encourage more investment in this country by both domestic and international investors.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear New Zealand needs to become a magnet for new investment to grow jobs and incomes for New Zealand families. I invite opposition parties to join in with that aim.”
ENDS