National Party sells out small business

ACT Leader Rodney Hide said today that he was disappointed that National is set to swing in behind Labour's cynical vote-buying policy of four weeks' annual leave.

"ACT is the only party standing up for small business which has been whacked by Labour for five long years and now National is putting the boot in," Mr Hide said.

"There has been a litany of anti-business measures foisted on small business. Labour has driven through employment laws that work against employers; imposed over 30 new taxes; heath and safety regulations have been ratcheted up; no tax relief has been offered; and there's now talk of compulsory unionism.

"We have a very greedy government, mostly made up of MPs who have never run a business and don't understand that New Zealand is driven by small business. Instead, small business is being taken for a ride.

"National is increasingly looking like Labour in drag. It has signed up to the costly Cullen Super Fund, it agrees with Jim Anderton on the corporate tax rate, and Helen Clark's 39-cent envy tax on success.

"Now in a desperate attempt to win some middle ground, National has reversed its opposition to Labour's ill-conceived four weeks' annual leave policy. ACT believes holiday arrangements are best organised by employers and employees.

"ACT's values are the values of small business. We remain committed to ensuring the little guy gets a fair go, improving profit margins, cutting red tape and taxes.

"National is only interested in votes. ACT is only interested in who really counts - small business and hardworking New Zealanders," Mr Hide said.

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