Rising Unemployment Proves Economy is Stalling: Time for Willis to Act

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Minister Willis to deliver full capital expensing to boost the economy following today’s figures showing unemployment at an eight-year high, with youth unemployment at 15%.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“More New Zealanders out of work is not a sign of a healthy economy, especially when combined with last month's GDP contraction. Minister Willis cannot simply talk about growth. If she wants more jobs and higher wages, she needs to back New Zealanders who create them.”

“Cutting wasteful spending and reducing taxes would send a clear signal that New Zealand is open for business again. You don’t solve unemployment by growing bureaucracy, you solve it by letting workers and employers keep more of what they earn so they can invest, hire, and build.”
 

“If Minister Willis is looking for inspiration, she needs to look no further than our report Going for Growth: Full Expensing of Capital Expenditure. Full capital‑expensing of new equipment and technology would unleash investment, lift productivity and create real jobs, and it’s right there in her hands.”