Shipley spins out of orbit
Labour Deputy Leader Michael
Cullen says Jenny Shipley is clearly out of control on
economic policy and is now into promising-anything-to-win
territory.
"Yesterday's bizarre performance where she publicly upstaged her finance spokesperson points to a rattled and irrational response to increasing pressure in the election campaign.
"A press conference was called to release another meaningless National Party glossy which said nothing new, including nothing about a second round of tax cuts.
"Somehow we are to believe that between its printing and the press conference up to $800 million a year was found to allow the Prime Minister to promise herself a tax cut totalling about $100 a week, taking into account the existing proposals.
"Even more bizarrely, Mrs Shipley then claimed this all meant Labour could not afford its programme.
"Poor Bill English was left to mumble incoherently about the need for fiscal responsibility and to tread awkwardly on his dancing partner's feet.
"This looks like the classic election campaign for a losing Government - it begins by trying to run on its record and ends up with a series of on-the-hoof promises.
"Mrs Shipley's problem is she just hasn't got it yet. New Zealanders don't want tax cuts that go overwhelmingly to the better-off when we have so much unmet need in terms of economic development, skills, education, health and superannuation.
"Her erratic blasts from the past are not sweet music to the ears of most people."