"At a time of plummeting business confidence and growth expectations, the Prime Minister wants to give medals to New Zealand’s bureaucrats", says ACT Leader David Seymour.

"Despite the fact that results in health, education, housing, and other areas have gone backwards, the Government will now be handing out gold starts to our public servants.

"This is pointless virtue-signalling from a weak and leaderless government.

"How will this policy improve the lives of New Zealanders?

"The Prime Minister believes a medal will inspire public servants to 'take risks and find solutions to the big challenges'.

"Public servants should be motivated by a desire to serve the public.

"Besides, why does Jacinda need public servants when she can design policies on her friend's living room floor?

"Business confidence is at record lows because they see new taxes and regulation coming down the pipeline.

"The Government must give begin taking seriously its responsibility to design policies that will raise living standards, rather than just signal their virtues", says Mr Seymour.

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