David
Shearer
Labour Leader
David
Cunliffe
Economic Development spokesperson
21 August 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
Innovation Report Desperately Needs New Ideas
National’s ‘building innovation’ report hasn’t an innovative idea in it and is desperately lacking ambition, say Labour
Leader David Shearer and Economic Development spokesperson David Cunliffe.
David Shearer says the Government is rolling out a new business growth report each week but they are merely buffed-up
pamphlets of old announcements.
“This growth report is even weaker than the one last week. National’s ultimate goal is to see New Zealand’s business
innovation at just one per cent of GDP. Other small countries have innovation rates three times that target and we need
to set our sights higher.
“Where are the bold, innovative ideas we desperately need? In four years National’s only innovation has been on
agriculture and their latest idea, the Advanced Technology Institute, is going to spend millions on food and wood
products. We need more than that.
“To create a strong, diverse economy New Zealand needs innovation in modern manufacturing and high-tech exports;
industries that create jobs that pay good wages. Labour is developing new, bold ideas to get manufacturing moving,
expand exporters and increase innovation.”
David Cunliffe says innovation in both the public and private sector is struggling under National.
“National has set a low target but they won’t even meet that with the recycled announcements in this report. To have no
original ideas in an innovation report is staggering. The Patents Office would turn down every concept in the report –
there’s nothing new here.
“The only useful idea is a small advanced economies group. But our low target makes an even bigger mockery of joining
that club than Gerry Brownlee’s insults to Finland.
“Innovation has floundered under National. With science and innovation officials joining their third ministry in three
years and always wondering who their new boss is, it’s no surprise.
David Shearer and David Cunliffe say: “The choice is clear. Labour’s vision is of a clean, clever and modern economy.
“National want us to remain a low-wage farming economy with our brightest minds working in innovative countries.
ENDS