Confidence Drop Underscores Need for Clear Economic Programme

Wednesday 31 Jul 2002 Rodney Hide Press Releases -- Economy

ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide repeated his call for Helen Clark to spell out a clear economic programme for her Government for the next three years, following the fourth monthly drop in business confidence.

"The National Bank's monthly survey should be a wake-up call for Helen Clark. She needs to articulate her Government's economic direction sooner rather than later, to give confidence to business of the environment that they will be operating in. There are jobs and investment decisions now on hold.

"There are big concerns about the role that the Greens will play, about Margaret Wilson's intentions and about just how Michael Cullen will fare as Finance Minister without the tail wind of high commodity prices and good weather.

"The Prime Minister will need a good speech from the throne, heavy on just how her Government intends lifting New Zealand's growth potential from two-plus percent to four-plus percent growth a year," Mr Hide said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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