National unveils Prosperity For All New Zealanders

The National Party's delivering on promises to roll-out a series of policy discussion documents with the first up release of the "Prosperity For All New Zealanders" discussion document.

The Party is identifying four core policy areas this year, welfare, education, one standard of citizenship and economic growth.

"Economic growth will be one of the burning issues for our country during the next decade," says National Party Leader Bill English.

"When the warm glow of high commodity prices and the property boom fades our Government will have to make choices for growth.

"The Knowledge Wave conference demonstrated that many people have moved on from Helen Clark's strident political argument about the 80's and 90's - it's yesterday's war," Mr English says.

"Our proposals reflect mainstream policy in OECD countries.

"Families with mortgages as well as those running small and medium-sized businesses make the choices that drive the economy," says Mr English.

"This paper is the first step to developing an economic strategy that wins their confidence. "Don Brash and the National caucus will take this document on the road to discuss the priorities with party members, business and community groups," he says.

"Under pressure from a rising exchange rate, there is a growing chorus of dissatisfaction from small business in particular, as they grapple with extra costs and more bureaucracy from an anti business government.

"We're expecting plenty of interest in the discussion," says Mr English.

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