Bill English MP

National Party Finance Spokesman 9 October 2008

Cullen plays petty politics as economy falters

“Michael Cullen must justify why he has failed to present any plan to confront the problems facing the country’s economy, despite knowing about the figures for weeks,” says National Party Finance spokesman Bill English.

“New Zealanders will be struck by the irony of the fact that while the National Party has been working to reshape its economic plan so it addresses the dramatic decline in the financial forecasts, Dr Cullen has not only failed to take a single action to improve the country’s position, he can seem to find nothing better to do than sit in his office and produce silly media statements about the National Party. “Instead of dealing with the seriousness of the numbers, Dr Cullen is asking dumb questions about when and how National’s policies changed.

“Dr Cullen is attempting to disguise his own paralysis. While National is addressing the scale of the issues facing the economy and setting a path for growth, the fair-weather Finance Minister remains in total denial.

“He’s even been on the radio this morning saying National’s tax cuts won’t be a vote winner. When is he going to get his head out of the political game for a minute and start focusing on the very real economic issues facing New Zealand?” Mr English says National has released a careful economic management plan that delivers overdue and up-front tax cuts for workers and the economy.

“National’s package requires no added borrowing, promotes growth, and starts the path out of Labour’s decade of deficits.

“Dr Cullen must explain Labour’s total failure to offer any solutions.”

ENDS

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