Empress Clark Fiddles While Business Burns

Monday 19 Jan 2004 Rodney Hide Press Releases -- Economy

ACT New Zealand Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide today said that Helen Clark's stated government goals for the year - as reported in today's Herald - were misguided and pathetic.

"Her sole idea for the economy for the year is to pick `environmental technology' as another "winning industry" for the Government's growth and innovation strategy," Mr Hide said.

"She is fiddling with the economy while business burns. Her `picking winners' strategy has failed. Her Sovereign Yachts' project blew millions and there is no marine park at Hobsonville.

"There is much that a government can do to boost New Zealand's economic performance.

"Helen Clark should start by making New Zealand prosperous her number one priority.

"Her strategy then would be to help every business in New Zealand, not just the favoured few. She should then use the surpluses to cut taxes across the board and establish a clear timetable to cut red tape.

"The PM's muddled economic-thinking is evident in her claim that tying up business with the Kyoto Protocol is a `prod for modernisation of the economy'. Kyoto is a bureaucrat's dream and a business nightmare.

"I would be happy if this Prime Minister would just adopt the motto, "First of All, Do No Harm". That would at least see Helen Clark drop her arrogance and abandon the Employment Relations Law Reform Bill that will cost jobs and cost business. That at least would be a positive message from Helen Clark," Mr Hide said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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