Dr Richard Worth MP
National Party Economic Development Spokesman

15 November 2007

Export support dollars must prove worthy

The announcement by Labour that in the past 12 months $48 million of co-funding has been approved to companies working across the export sector is welcomed, but there must be accountability, says National’s Economic Development spokesman, Dr Richard Worth.

“Unlike its Australian counterpart, Austrade, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise is refusing to establish appropriate measurement mechanisms for the amount of money it spends on export support.

“Such mechanisms are not easy to establish, but that is no reason for not doing so. Unless there is a measure by which success can be determined, there is no way to know whether or not the investment is being wasted or is worthwhile.

“The Government spent millions of dollars at the Japan World Expo 2005 at Aichi. There has never been proper analysis of the gains for New Zealand exporters from that event.

“Doubtless, there will be substantially increased expenditures at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.

“With such substantial taxpayer funding it is not unreasonable to have close accountability.”

ENDS

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