Hon Max Bradford
Opposition Economic Development Spokesperson

10 February 2000

Jim happy to risk economic gains

Jim Anderton's frank admission that the Government's new economic development programme would "get it wrong" and this is good because it showed the Government was taking risks, is an extraordinary admission said National's Economic Development spokesman Max Bradford said today.

"The fact that our new Minister of Economic Development is happy to dispense taxpayers' money on risky ventures, which he cheerfully admits may fail, shows a derisory disregard for those who create wealth and pay taxes in this country."

"Already reeling from the reforms to ACC and the increases in their taxes, including fringe benefits taxes, middle class New Zealanders must now swallow the bitter pill that the Government is about to invest in unproven businesses in the hope they will stimulate economic development.

"They could achieve the same with less risk by ditching the changes they plan to renationalise the ACC and by stopping the tax increases, which will soak up millions of dollars from local communities to be put towards a punt on risky development projects," Mr Bradford said.

Ends

(note reposted to correct byline...earlier moved version killed)

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