Hon Dr Michael Cullen
Deputy Prime Minister
24 July 2008Media Statement
Key running scared on his own policies
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen has today re-released the lightweight policy positions announced by National in the
past fortnight following John Key’s attempt to slip them out under the cover of darkness.
In the past fortnight National has released ‘policies’ on industrial relations, accident compensation, conservation,
broadcasting, and arts. Not one of these policy releases was announced with a formal press conference featuring John Key
and a party spokesman.
Today’s industrial relations policy – featuring a significant attack on the rights of workers – was barely one page
long. Last week’s conservation policy was released after 4pm on Friday evening. None of National’s policy announcements
have been followed up with an oral question in Parliament, the usual practice followed by parties.
“John Key’s policy releases have been fairly dismal attempts to fend off accusations that he lacks substance,” Dr Cullen
said.
“His policy spokespeople certainly have ideas – attacking the rights of workers, privatising ACC, and preparing TVNZ for
sale – but Mr Key knows those positions don’t fit his warm and sunny personal branding. That’s why he is ordering
policies to be released with every attempt made to make them die in the public arena.
“Mr Key doesn’t want the public to know what a National government would mean for New Zealand. Until he stops running
scared, the Labour-led government will be happy to fill in the blanks.”
National’s industrial relations policy can be found at: http://national.org.nz/files/.___0_0_WA.pdf
ACC privatisation policy: http://national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=28234
Broadcasting policy: http://www.national.org.nz/files/.___0_0_Broadcasting.pdf
Conservation policy: http://www.national.org.nz/files/.___0_0_outdoor.pdf
ENDS