Grant Robertson
State Services Spokesperson

27 May 2009 Media Statement
National’s spin on public services busted

Tomorrow’s Budget should be about developing a public service that can provide New Zealanders with the services they need and deserve, rather than cutting services and jobs, Grant Robertson, Labour State Services Spokesperson says.

“Since National have come into power we have seen them consistently cut jobs in the public service on the grounds that there has been a blowout in expenditure in recent years,” Grant Robertson said.

“Figures collated by the OECD, and published by BERL last week show that this claim is rubbish and is simply National’s spin to make excuses for job cuts.”

The OECD figures show current government spending as percentage of GDP (18.8%) was essentially on average been the same for the last 30 years.

New Zealand’s spending is on par with comparable countries internationally, less than the UK (21.2%) and slightly more than Australia (17.7%).

“Tony Ryall and his fellow National Ministers have been telling us that there has been some huge disproportionate growth in public spending in recent years. The facts simply don’t back this up.

“Sadly New Zealanders have been losing their jobs so that the National Party can score a few cheap political points at the expense of real people and frontline services.

“We all recognise that public services should be as efficient as possible, and savings should be made where they can be. But this must not be at the expense of ordinary New Zealanders who rely on good quality public services and servants to help them.

“National have been responsible for nearly 1000 people being put out of work from the public service, including 200 in the very agency that is charged with looking after the unemployed.”

“The Budget should be about creating and protecting jobs. It is time for Tony Ryall and his colleagues to cut the spin, and deliver public services for all New Zealanders.” Grant Robertson said.

ATTACHED: graph showing govt consumption as % of GDP
Govt_spending_as__of_GDP.xls

ENDS

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