Business as usual won’t do
Business as usual won’t do
Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe says business as usual won’t do because strong leadership and a plan to protect Kiwi jobs is needed to deal with the worsening government books and economy.
“The figures released today make for disturbing reading. The situation is serious. That is why New Zealand needs the National government to show it has a real plan that will ensure economic growth and job security for Kiwis.
“So far National has provided little more than five slogans slung together, with the hope people won’t realise there is no detail to back it up.”
Mr Cunliffe said over the past two weeks Parliament had seen a rash of legislation passed under urgency which did nothing to address the real issues.
“To ensure New Zealanders achieve the ‘brighter future’ they were promised, immediate investment in skills, jobs, technology and productive infrastructure is required.
“The government needs to urgently put in place a credible and substantive economic plan, rather than cutting retirement savings, R and D tax credits and workers rights.
“Budget 2009 is too late to begin to put a plan in place. The public expects the National government to have been working urgently on this issue before now. Maintaining public confidence requires a more immediate response.
“Labour had committed to put in place a mini-budget in December this year concentrating on both the short and long term issues.’
“In view of the seriousness of the situation, Labour is willing to work constructively with the government to support moves that would increase job stability and promote economic growth, but not on measures that would undermine New Zealand families.
“Sadly from National we have seen no leadership to date.”
ENDS