New Zealanders are paying for the Government's poor management of the economy, National Finance spokesperson Bill
English said today.
"Higher Government charges, higher petrol prices and the lower exchange rate are big factors behind the 2 per cent rise
in the consumer price index in the year to June.
"These higher prices are putting pressure on family budgets.
"Today's CPI is confirmation of the analysis we carried out before the Budget which showed that the average family was
paying about $30 a week extra for basics.
"The exchange rate is an international measure of confidence - or lack of it - in the New Zealand economy.
"On top of that Government policies from one-off charges through to the freeze in tariff reductions is making it harder
for families to make ends meet," Mr English said.
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