Business identifies wasted opportunity

National Party Finance spokesman John Key says the slump in business confidence is a clear worry for all New Zealanders.

“Businesses have identified Labour’s wasted opportunity in the Budget. They’re looking down the track at the numbers and they have realised this is as good as it gets under Labour.

“They join middle-mainstream New Zealanders who, in numerous polls, have been crying out for a lowering of the tax burden - only to be ignored by Helen Clark’s Government.

“Even Labour Party president Mike Williams was expecting better from Michael Cullen.

“The miserly tax tinkering, due to take effect in three years, is an insult to workers. Before then, all of us will have been stung by Labour’s unnecessary carbon tax.

“A slump in business confidence is bad news for all Kiwis. Businesses will delay hiring staff, and will postpone investment. It is likely to damage our growth prospects.

“Wasteful government spending and reckless hiring has added to the upward pressure on interest rates and fuelled the skills shortage.

“Businesses are joining consumers in sending Labour a message - we don’t like what you’re doing.

“National is committed to lowering taxes for all working New Zealanders. We will do better than Michael Cullen’s paltry 67 cents a week in three years,” says Mr Key.

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