Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Left in disarray over economy

Left in disarray over economy

There is more evidence today that the Labour-Greens coalition are in complete disarray over economic policy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

“The Greens strident policy against oil exploration released today is the exact opposite to where David Shearer is trying to take the Labour Party in his attempt to show Labour isn’t completely anti-growth,” Mr Joyce says.

“As late as last Thursday, Mr Shearer said in New Plymouth that Labour supported deep sea oil drilling, while today the Greens are saying they are dead against it. Once again the public will be asking ‘well which is it?’.

“Surely the least this supposed potential coalition could do is come up with some joint policy positions.”

Mr Joyce says the Greens’ cartoon-like approach to economic policy is that everything that uses anything in the resource-based sectors is bad.

“They are anti-oil, anti-dairy and anti-irrigation. On top of that they are also against free trade and against the Government’s roading programme which is crucial to connecting regional New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

“Meanwhile the Labour Party approach could most generously be described as ambiguous. Whether it’s roading, oil and gas, irrigation, or trade, one minute they are in favour and next minute they are against.

“What we know is that a weak Labour Party wouldn’t be standing up to the Greens and Hone Harawira on any of this.

“The combination would be very negative for New Zealand and especially negative for regional economies.”

Mr Joyce says the Government has a clear and balanced approach that favours jobs and growth while enhancing environmental protection.

“Today has shown once again that with the Left you really don’t know what you would get. It would be a recipe for total confusion and economic stagnation,” Mr Joyce says.

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On National’s Fantasy Trip To La La Landlord Land


How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is:
(A) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was touting to voters last year has now blown out to $2.9 billion. (That’s a 38% size error in the calculations.)
(B) unable to provide assurance that this handout won’t simply be pocketed by landlords
(C) unable to explain why Treasury (in research as recent as August 2023) wasn’t citing the loss of interest deductibility as a prime factor driving up rents.
More than anything, the Great Landlords Handout undermines the government’s alarmist talk about the state of the country’s books...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.