"The Deputy Prime Minister has admitted he is flying blind with his regional development policies," National's Economic Development spokesperson Max Bradford said today.

"Jim Anderton's appearance at the Finance and Expenditure select committee has revealed the true extent of the short-comings in the regional development policies.

"He could not answer basic specifics, including how the regional and business development policies would work in practise.

"The only credible explanation of how the policy will work is that all people have to do is hold their hand and they'll get money.

"Expectations in local communities over the regional development policies are enormous. But as the Minister goes around the country trying to explain them communities still have no idea of the specifics after he has talked to them"

Ends

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