The New Zealand First Leader, Winston Peters, said today that Members of Parliament are elected to govern New Zealand – not Treasury bureaucrats.

He said that he was concerned to learn that Treasury papers had “told” the Government that it will need to rein in social spending and should begin thinking about cutting spending on health and education.

“This is not the job of Treasury. It is supposed to provide an expert forecasting and advisory service and act in an impartial manner. It should not be telling any government of any colour what to do.”

Mr Peters said that at the same time as Treasury officials “told” the Government to curb social spending, they were also advising it to pass legislation for tax cuts before the election.

“These highly paid state employees want more money for themselves and their greedy mates at the expense of hospitals and schools.

“There is no money available for tax cuts and these officials are scared that a more moderate centrist government will stop them in November.”

Mr Peters said that the Government needed to take control of Treasury and remind its officials that the elected representatives of the people make the political decisions – not the bureaucrats on the Terrace.

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