The National-led Government is committed to helping and protecting the most vulnerable sections of the society.
We are aspirational for all New Zealanders. We want to see families achieve their dreams and reach their potential.
New Zealand’s economic performance is the most important challenge facing our country.
The Government is borrowing $300 million a week. In the worst of the recession, that was the right thing to do, as it gave much-needed support to the economy and hard-working New Zealanders.
But as we come out of the recession, we need to get our books back in order quickly.
National is focused on building stronger, enduring economic growth, delivering New Zealanders better-paid jobs and putting the Government’s finances in a strong position.
We have considered a logical plan to grow our economy. We are delivering world-class infrastructure to unblock the arteries of the economy and we are demanding better, more efficient, public services.
We have introduced a number of regulatory changes to make it easier to do business. We are fostering better skills in the work force, and a research climate, which encourages innovation.
We are pursuing an ambitious free trade agenda to expand the markets for our products. We have introduced a growth-friendly tax system, which rewards effort.
National is also hauling back on new spending allowances and confronting the challenge of lifting our national savings rate, so that we can reduce our debt to overseas lenders. This is a fiscally prudent, economically literate plan.
Contrast that with Labour’s spiral of spending promises, cost so far $5 billion and still climbing steadily towards the stratosphere.
New Zealand families are being prudent, careful with their money and paying down debt. Labour, however, is talking of doing exactly the opposite.
It is behaving fecklessly, recklessly and irresponsibly.
Labour’s recipe of loose spending , more borrowing, and higher taxes is a clear contrast with National’s responsible programme to keep debt under control, promote savings, and get the economy working faster to build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.
National is confident the economy will build momentum through 2011 and beyond and that, over time, we will achieve our goal of delivering the stronger economy, more jobs, and higher incomes that New Zealanders deserve.
Dr Cam Calder is Member of Parliament on National List.
