No jobs in the smoko room

“Chris Hipkins says the boardroom isn't his target audience and he's more interested in the mood of the smoko room. Someone should tell him the two are connected,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“The smoko room becomes pretty empty when businesses can't afford to grow, hire people, or keep their doors open.

“I've been travelling around New Zealand meeting business owners who are on a knife-edge waiting for the outcome of this election. They're deciding whether to invest in their businesses, hire more staff, and grow, or whether to scale back.

“The other day I spoke to a farmer who told me the election would determine whether he takes the leap and buys more land and hires more staff or whether he scales back because of the extra costs and red tape he'd face under Labour.

“That's the reality Chris Hipkins doesn't seem to understand. When business owners lose confidence, it's workers who lose opportunities. You cannot have higher wages, more jobs, and a stronger economy without successful businesses.

“Labour has always treated employers and employees as if they're on opposing teams. The small business owner who expands is giving another Kiwi the opportunity to earn a living.

“ACT has spent the last three years cutting red tape and making it easier for businesses to succeed. We want to go further and faster to end wasteful spending and cut red tape. That will lead to higher wages and more opportunities for New Zealanders.

“Party Vote ACT to re-elect the Government and make it go further and faster on the issues that matter.”