MEDIA STATEMENT
Turn up and front up, Mr English
Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe today called on Finance Minister Bill English to come clean on the use of
specific and contingent fiscal risks in the budget process.
“Instead of trumping up charges of ‘unallocated’ future spending, why does he not admit that specifying future but
unquantified fiscal risks is a requirement of the Public Finance Act,” David Cunliffe said.
Today in an answer to oral parliamentary questions Mr English reluctantly confirmed that he intends to continue the
practice of listing such risks in Budget 2009.
“Mr English cannot have it both ways. Either these practices are reprehensible fiscal holes that bedevilled the former
Government, or they are a legal requirement that he intends to continue,” David Cunliffe said.
“It is unfortunate that as well as dissembling on this crucial probity matter, Mr English was unwilling to face ongoing
questioning, and fled the House during Question Time."
ENDS