ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said there was no surprise that Reserve Bank Governor Dr Don Brash had moved to lift
interest rates.
"The sad thing is that the New Zealand economy can only manage 2.5 percent growth sustainably. That's the capacity of
the New Zealand economy to grow at best.
"The Reserve Bank is picking a growth path of 2¾, 2¼ and 2½ over each of the next three years respectively. That is
just dawdling along.
"The problem is on the supply side - capital and labour, both skilled and unskilled.
"We need more investment and more people working.
"The key to lifting New Zealand's growth rate is lower taxes, a free labour market, welfare reform, and a bonfire of
regulations.
"Unfortunately, Helen Clark's government has taken New Zealand in the completely opposite direction. Hence the poor
growth outlook despite Helen Clark's and Michael Cullen's promise of good times to come," Mr Hide said.
Ends