Time for Government to stand and deliver

After six years of marking time and favouring its friends, it is time for the Government to stand up and deliver real progress for all New Zealanders, says Labour Leader David Cunliffe.

“This Budget is the sixth opportunity for Mr Key and his National Government to show they have a real plan to provide opportunities for all, not just for big business, big noters and the big end of town.

“To date it has been politics as usual for the National Government, delivering tax cuts for the top few per cent, redistributing public assets to the privileged and doing special deals with foreign corporates and wealthy donors.

“All this while 147,000 New Zealanders remain out of work, and while 285,000 children still live in poverty – up 45,000 since National came to power.

“All this while the scandalous cost of housing grows further out of reach of ordinary Kiwis, while inequality continues to grow across the country, while educational standards decline, while wages for most people remain static or decline, and rain leaks into the operating theatres of a major hospital.

“National’s likely attempts tomorrow to recover ground, particularly in childcare and housing, will come as too little too late to repair the damage.

“In contrast Labour has coherent, fiscally responsible policies to make a real difference.

“We aim to get unemployment down to 4% by 2017, we will run fiscal surpluses and we will pay down National’s $56 billion debt.

“Labour believes people matter most and will  put Kiwis back in work, get people into warm dry homes, lift wages, help provide the best possible start in life and offer all New Zealanders opportunity and hope for a better future,’’ said David Cunliffe.

—