John Key National Deputy Finance Spokesman
16 June 2004
No surprise Minister abandons OECD target
National's Deputy Finance spokesman John Key says it is no surprise Labour has forsaken its pro-growth goal of getting
New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD.
The Minister of Finance, Michael Cullen, told the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee this morning that achieving a
high OECD ranking 'is not going to happen quickly'.
Mr Key says despite endless assurances from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, the comment shows Labour's
true attitude to growth for what it is - just rhetoric.
"The Budget clearly indicated that the 10-year trend growth rate will decline from approximately 3.6% to a disappointing
2.6%.
"Growth is the only way we will ensure a better standard of living for all New Zealanders."
ENDS