The Government’s new handouts for Northland are simply a band-aid covering up the consequences of its bad economic policies, according to ACT Leader David Seymour

“On the one hand, the Government is introducing more red tape and higher costs on firms, making them less competitive and reducing job creation.

“Now it is pouring taxpayer money into regions like Northland to try to create jobs out of thin air.

“New industry-wide collective bargaining will make firms less competitive and less likely to take on new workers.

“The Government’s minimum increases will lock 11,000 Kiwis out of a job, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

“It's now spending hundreds of millions to undo the damage its economic policies will cause. This is a deeply confused approach to the economy and job creation.

“The only sustainable path to higher living standards is good policymaking that gives firms the confidence to grow and hire new staff.

“ACT is the only party committed reducing the burden of red tape on firms and ending Labour and National’s corporate welfare.”

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