Nicky Being Tricky With Underhanded Swipe at the Taxpayers’ Union

Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ attack on the Taxpayers’ Union doesn't hide the fact that under her watch government spending as a share of the economy is significantly higher than when Grant Robertson left office.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“Willis is entitled to her own opinion but she’s not entitled to her own facts. She is deflecting from the state of the economy by making cheap shots, but the fact remains that spending as a proportion of the economy has surged on her watch, making the cost of living crisis even worse. That is not responsible fiscal management, it is a doubling down of Grant Robertson economics.”

"And Willis knows it. She is clearly under pressure to start performing. That's why she's pointing to supposed future reductions as a fix. It's as if she's not already delivered two government budgets."

“Willis needs to get off the starting block, and even the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement admits we need to see some pro-growth policies. That doesn’t mean continuing to take more money from the public than at any point under the last government.”

“There are plenty of places for savings without having to touch schools and hospitals, as outlined in our A Pathway to Surplus report. Or perhaps the Minister can start with her own international travel rather than touching health or education?”

“The fact Willis needs to attack using a left-wing caricature speaks for itself. Attacking the Taxpayers' Union doesn't fix the fact that while options are there for Willis to take, what’s missing is the political will."