National's tired attack exposes economic failure

National’s tired old attacks on anyone who has an idea about how to grow the economy exposes its complete failure to come up with a plan to get our country going, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

“They just resurrect the same old press release every time Labour talks about ways to invest in growing our economy. That’s because it is easy to spin the same old lines about spending and borrowing - it’s much harder to actually come up with ideas that work.

“National’s attack on the idea of tax credits that stimulate research and development smacks of hypocrisy when under John Key, National has frittered away millions of taxpayer dollars on silly ideas including a $2 million dollar plastic waka and $9.2 million on an MFA T reorganisation it’s now trying to walk away from.

“It’s also wasted $100 million on fees to lawyers, bankers and accountants to sell our most valuable assets and $2.5 billion in tax cuts that went overwhelming to the highest income earners.

“Labour is actually focused on ways we can grow our economy so that it benefits all New Zealanders, including investing in and supporting businesses to be more creative and innovative.

“In the lead-up to the Budget, we should be openly discussing ways that we can improve our economic position. It’s time for the excuses to stop. It’s time for National to stop blaming the earthquakes and the global financial crisis and start talking about solutions.

“The reason we are facing another zero Budget is because of the bad decisions National has made.

“We call on them to engage in a sensible debate instead of regurgitating the same old nonsense in an attempt to slur others for having ideas.”