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Dear John --
Today, Labour delivered their
fourth Budget.
It could have been a Budget to deliver economic
growth in the wake of COVID-19, support more jobs and innovation, or
even help everyday Kiwis and their families keep on top of the rising
cost of living.
Sadly, the Budget did none of these
things.
The collective effects of failed government
policy over the last 4 years have delivered:
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Higher rents – Up $100 a week. Labour piled costs
onto landlords and mum and dad investors.
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Fewer new homes – KiwiBuild has delivered just
871.
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More people on the State House waiting list – Up
17,000 under Labour, 4,000 children growing up in motels.
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Higher electricity prices – Labour's ridiculous oil
and gas ban pushing up cost, with higher costs on the way.
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Higher production costs – Immigration policy not
delivering for businesses that need workers, 1970’s style industrial
relations policy backing unions over jobs.
-
Higher petrol costs – Higher taxes and new regional
fuel tax.
-
Child poverty up – After four years,
1500 more children in poverty.
-
Upgrade Programme – $6.8 billion and 21 of the 36
projects haven’t started.
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Climate Change – Failed EV target, higher coal use,
emissions gone up.
-
Law & Order – Failed to reach 1800 new Police and
shut the Police College to stop them from reaching it. Gang membership
at a record high.
Instead of dealing with the issues at hand, Labour’s ideological
control mentality has created an environment of dependency on the
Government. Just how they like it.
Let’s be clear. It’s
important to support the most vulnerable and desperate in our society.
It’s the right thing to do. But don’t call yourselves transformational
when you are the ones who made the problems for everyday New
Zealanders worse.
Kiwis made huge sacrifices last
year. Thousands lost their jobs and entire sectors of the economy were
decimated, and they're the ones looking for a reason to stay in New
Zealand. Where was the vision, where was the hope, where was the plan
for growth and jobs? What we got was debt climbing to $184 billion,
that's more than $100,000 for every household.
Under
this Government and this Budget, New Zealand is going to lose more
nurses, more teachers, and more engineers, and we'll lose them to
Australia, because they'll be looking for a better
life.
To be blunt, we've now seen four Budgets from
Grant Robertson and it doesn't matter what he promises; he will not
deliver on it. All you’ll get is more spin, bluster, and
blame.
National has an alternative vision for New Zealand. We
believe in ambition and we believe in people being able to do what
they can for themselves.
National does not grow dependency, we
grow the economy. We are ambitious for a better country.
You can read more of my Budget 2021 Speech
here.
A National government would back businesses to create jobs,
invest in innovation, support our farmers, help Kiwis keep more of
what they earn, not less, and get on and build some actual
houses.
The National Party I lead will put
accountability, ambition, and aspiration back into Government. And in
2023 we’ll do just that. In the meantime, we’ll keep Labour’s feet to
the fire and hold them to account for the promises they’ve made to New
Zealanders.
Yours sincerely
Judith
Hon Judith Collins
Leader
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