"New Zealand just posted the best quarter of economic growth in two years, and it’s a tribute New Zealanders," says ACT Leader David Seymour.
"Hard working people have knuckled down through a very challenging period and today’s figure summarises that. The biggest threat to a recovery is now the destabilising threats of a mad opposition.
"New Zealand firms, farms and families are beating the slump induced by Labour’s six-year spending, inflation and interest rate nightmare. By contrast, the Coalition Government’s approach of managing its own finances carefully mirrors what everyone else in New Zealand had to do while Labour went wild.
"I hear every day that the Coalition Government’s disciplined approach to its own finances is working. The government is taking a smaller slice of the pie each year, meaning there is more for everyone else to provide for their needs. Employers have more to pay wages, wage earners have more to feed their families, and businesses get the benefit of more spending. In other words, there’s a virtuous circle when government gets out of the way.
"I also hear real concern that the mad Opposition could upset the apple cart. The Green' so-called alternative Budget, and fiscal plan, are only the latest examples. The Greens suggest the government should take on half a trillion worth of debt. The interest on that debt would be more than we currently spend on education, but they smile on unhinged as if money doesn’t matter.
"The Greens are a paragon of sanity, though, when compared with Te Pāti Māori, who believe a new tax could raise $200 billion, or about half of all the money made in the New Zealand economy each year. Labour were pretty irresponsible, racking up $150 billion of extra debt in their time. Combined with the other fiscal terrorist outriders, though, they would be catastrophic.
"ACT is committed to keeping this Government right where it is, and making it better by pushing harder for more savings every year. Our goal is that growth figures like today are only the beginning and the New Zealand economy gives financial room to breathe for all our futures in this beautiful land."