Kiwis get promise of more muddling through from National

John Key’s so-called action plan if National is returned to government on Saturday misses two vital ingredients – ‘action’ and ‘plan’, Labour’s campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson says.

“National offers no vision or long-term solutions to New Zealand’s looming challenges,” Grant Robertson said.

“Its document lacks ambition for our country.

“Their only excuse for a plan is to sell off four publically-owned energy companies and Air New Zealand, which is overwhelmingly opposed by Kiwis.

“Other promises include privatising ACC, transferring pollution costs from polluters to taxpayers and cutting wages for young workers.

“They will also change maritime legislation related to civil liability in the event of maritime accidents like the Rena after three years of inaction and the horse has already bolted. National’s lack of urgency will end up costing the taxpayer millions of dollars.

“John Key has promised a billion dollars of cuts to spending – but won’t tell you where it’s coming from until after the election. They’ve already banked that billion without telling Kiwis which services they will lose.

“That’s not a plan it’s a conjurer’s trick.

“The rest of the so-called plan contains more ideology than real solutions. For instance, they will supposedly change legislation to ‘better protect’ domestic violence victims – while at the same time cutting $700,000 a year from Women’s Refuge funding.

“Labour’s plan faces up to hard decisions that need to be made to secure New Zealand’s future.

“We will pay off debt as quickly as National, but without selling assets, we will make superannuation sustainable so our kids and grandkids aren’t left drowning in debt and we will support our businesses with polices to grow the economy and create new jobs. And we will not ignore Kiwi strugglers or the growing poverty in New Zealand,” Grant Robertson said.