Government declares 'Day Of Spin'

"The Government's self-proclaimed 'smart growth day' on Friday is an elaborate PR exercise paid for by the taxpayer," says National Party Leader Bill English.

"The Labour Government could have chosen far more appropriate titles for tomorrow, including 'cold shower day' or 'no power day'.

"There would of course be a good argument for 'no apologies day', and there's potential for a 'insult our friends and allies day'.

"Jim Anderton's bid to talk up his Government's failed attempts to stimulate regional growth is little more than a costly joke," says Mr English.

"The reality is that some of the biggest growth is occurring among New Zealanders who now see welfare as a viable career choice," says Mr English.

"This is Jim Anderton's so-called 'jobs machine' that poured millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars into a boat building venture that's since closed its doors.

"This is a 'smart growth day' from a Government that has messed up electricity, roading and business regulations.

"That's why Labour has lost faith with its own policy to get New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD within a decade.

"It's nothing more than a feeble attempt to convince the public that next week's 'do-nothing' budget will be good for them, as the Government takes back more control.

"The facts are that Labour is standing in the way of growth, the IMF has seen it, and the New Zealand business community shares that concern.

"OSH Laws, changes to the Holidays Act and the flawed Resource Management Act are all impediments to New Zealand's growth.

"The Kyoto protocol, and Helen Clark's foreign relations blunders will all also erode New Zealand's competitive advantage on the world stage.

"That's not exactly smart," Mr English says.

© Scoop Media