National urged to cheer up

National's attacks today on Kiwibank mortgage assistance for low income New Zealanders are predictably negative, Progressive leader Jim Anderton says.

"National can't actually find anything wrong with the idea, but they just have to be negative.

"They want to sell or close Kiwibank and they can't bear the thought that this pilot scheme shows it can do some good and help more New Zealanders to own their own homes.

"Who would have thought the National Party would be so negative that it is now against home ownership?

"National and ACT just complain all the time. But people want political parties to be constructive, co-operative, practical and positive.

"When the coalition government announces good ideas, like getting more low income people into their own homes, they should be prepared to praise the idea, instead of knee jerk negativity about everything," Jim Anderton said.