COVID Inquiry must be the blueprint for permanent reform

The Taxpayers' Union says the Government's response to the COVID-19 Inquiry is a good start, but New Zealand needs structural reforms to ensure taxpayers are never again left paying for a "spend now, check later" approach to government.

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald said the Inquiry should mark a turning point in how governments manage taxpayers' money.

"The Inquiry confirms what taxpayers have been saying for years: billions of dollars were sprayed across hundreds of programmes with no oversight, leaving New Zealand with higher debt, higher inflation, and a cost-of-living crisis we're still paying for."

"The Government now needs to go further. Cut wasteful spending, tackle debt, reduce taxes on businesses to grow the economy, and restore the fiscal headroom needed to respond properly when the next crisis comes."

"Just as importantly, governments must open the books. New Zealanders should be able to see, in real time, where emergency spending is going and whether it's delivering results. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and taxpayers should never again have to wait years to find out where tens of billions of dollars ended up."