Bill English
National Finance Spokesperson
Tuesday 24 October 2000

Time for a more positive mood - from Government

The Auckland summit will have to produce real change at the core of the Government's attitude to business if it's going to get results for New Zealanders, National Finance spokesperson Bill English said tonight.

"Six hours of talk, six months too late, won't change anything by itself. There's got to be a more positive attitude - from the Government.

"Business leaders have known all along that they have to get on with the Government. It's welcome that the Government has now recognised that too.

"It's good that businesspeople like Stephen Tindall now feel that the Government is listening to them, but they're still having to put their prices up because of the trouble we're in.

"For all the talk, New Zealand families face a cut in their standard of living because of highest inflation in 10 years. It will be the toughest Christmas for New Zealand families for many years.

"They're paying the price of a Government that has alienated business and squandered the strong economy we were enjoying last Christmas.

"New Zealanders are paying not just with higher prices but job worries and concerns about whether the country will hold a future for their children.

"The Government has tried twice to build bridges with business, once in the Budget and again in its charm offensive. Both times it failed. For the sake of New Zealanders, let's hope it has some success this time," Mr English said.

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