Labour's latest list targets talk of economic recovery

Labour's finance minister David Cunliffe saysa new list shows National had consistently talked up an economic recovery that did not happen. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour released a list of 15 quotes from National promising economic recovery today, following on from an earlier list of top ten National Government failings.

Labour's finance minister David Cunliffe said the list showed National had consistently talked up an economic recovery that has not eventuated.

"The quotes have come thick and fast over the past two years, but they have all been meaningless and cynical in terms of a real recovery," said Mr Cunliffe.

The list spans three years of National leadership from December 2008, quoting both John Key and Bill English.

"They keep promising recovery is around the corner, but they have had three years and the corner keeps getting further away. They do not have a plan to lead New Zealand forward," said Mr Cunliffe.

Phil Goff yesterday announced a list of ten reasons why New Zealand had been worse off under the National Government.

The list included 100,000 New Zealanders moving across the Tasman and the first credit downgrade in 13 years.

John Key last night issued a point-by-point response to the list, saying it was "in denial of the international situation we face".

Labour's Top 15 quotes list:

1. "I am sure the country can have enormous confidence in my leadership as we look to deliver productivity growth in a stronger economy," (John Key 16 Dec 08).

2. "It is important we convert this early start to recovery into a permanent lift in growth rates,"(Bill English 25 Mar 10).

3. "There are encouraging signs that the recovery is headed in the right direction,"(Bill English 22 Jun 10)

4. "Tax cuts are just one of the Government's policies to get faster growth and boost incomes," (John Key 28 Jul 10).

5. "I think actually starting to come out of it reasonably aggressively. I'm more optimistic about 2011 than 2010 but nevertheless I think 2010 will be positive," (John Key 18 Aug 10).

6. "The recovery has been quite considerable," (Bill English 19 Aug 10).

7. "We are going to see a recovery in which people are careful with their spending and pay down debt, and in which the growth in the economy is driven by strong export prices. That kind of recovery will give us sustainable jobs,"(Bill English 14 Oct 10)

8. "There was aggressive recovery," (Bill English 20 Oct 10).

9. "It is encouraging that the recovery is being built on savings, investment, and exports rather than consumption, housing speculation, and wasteful Government spending," (Bill English, 16 Nov, 2010).

10. "The economic recovery is a bit flatter than was expected, but that is a good thing," (Bill English 24 Nov 10).

11. "The economy did not grow in 2010 as quickly as most people anticipated ... Although in the short term it means that there has been a bumpy road to recovery, in the longer term it is laying down a stronger foundation for future growth,"(Bill English 15 Feb 11)

12. "The Budget is likely to see very strong growth in real wages for New Zealanders ... very strong job growth; and a much stronger economic outlook for New Zealand," (John Key 17 May 11).

13. "More good news. This morning the Reserve Bank issued its Monetary Policy Statement. It confirms the early signs of an economic recovery. GDP has probably increased modestly through the first half of 2011, despite the impact of the Christchurch earthquake. The bank expects the pace of growth to pick up,"(Bill English 09 Jun 11)

14. "Today's figures show that the recovery is under way, and the pace of growth is picking up," (Bill English 14 Jul 11).

15. "There's no guarantee". Bill English admits Government's estimate of obtaining between $5 billion and $7 billion may not be realised (Bill English, Q and A, 8 November, 2011).