Katherine Rich MP
National Party Economic Development spokeswoman
2 August 2006
Dalziel blank on regulation review cost
Lianne Dalziel has confirmed she still has no idea how much her 'Quality Regulation Review' will cost, months after her
major announcement, says National's Economic Development spokeswoman Katherine Rich.
In answer to parliamentary questions seeking for a second time the budget for her review, the Minister replied: 'It is
not possible at this time to determine the total budget' which is still being 'finalised'.
"This answer beggars belief. Surely this budgetary work should have been done when preparing official Budget documents?
"When the Minister insists that 'nothing of this magnitude has been attempted before', having no budget at all
demonstrates ministerial sloppiness and commercial naivety.
"Even if a project cost is to be met within existing baselines, common sense suggests a budget of expected expenditure
would still be required.
"The Commerce Minister shows little commercial acumen by embarking on a 'horizontal, vertical, fast-track, in-depth,
dynamic' review with no idea of the level of taxpayer commitment.
"She purports to be a representative of small business, but small business owners will be aghast that a Minister would
embark on a project with no interest in its cost.
"The Minister is obligated to get out her calculator and tell Kiwis how much her pet project is expected to cost."
ENDS