Government’s non-policy on tariffs a blow to business
ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide said today that the Labour-Alliance Government’s decision to freeze tariffs for five
years was a costly non-decision.
“Successful businesses that can compete must now continue to prop up those that can’t.
“The government should decide whether it accepts free trade or is against it. It can’t have a dollar each way. The
decision to freeze existing tariffs is a costly non-decision.
“Instead of trying to protect New Zealand businesses from competition, the government should be ensuring that they are
competitive. That means lowering taxes – not hiking them, a big no to re-muscling the unions as is proposed and allowing
New Zealand businesses the benefits that competition in Accident Insurance was providing.
“The government should be about ensuring a competitive business environment. It should not fall into Jim Anderton’s trap
of a return to fortress New Zealand to cover up the failures of economic policy,” concluded Rodney Hide.
ENDS