Bridges SimonGENERAL DEBATEHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition): I move That the House take note of miscellaneous business. I want to talk about something that you won't hear any of the Government members in their speeches talk about and that's the economy. It's the economy and we appreciate that maths isn't their good suit because today actually if you look at question time we've had question Nos 1 2 3 4 6 7 8—they don't do that stuff so well. But it's remarkable actually that they don't want to talk about our economy and its growth and what's happening given it's so crucial and it's so important to New Zealanders and what happens. It's what provides our jobs—Rt Hon Winston Peters: Speech training. Hon SIMON BRIDGES: —and our opportunities. Winston Peters—I think if he actually sits there long enough in deep contemplation he would understand that young New Zealanders who want to get into apprenticeships for hairdressing plumbing and all of these things who want the opportunities in life—they know what the economy means to them. Actually older workers who are looking for a second chance and opportunity who want to get in and re-enter the workforce—and I'm not thinking about you here Mr Peters again—they understand what it means—Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know that member has not been here for a long time but he should know that he cannot refer to you in the debate and when he's referring to me he should call me by my proper name.SPEAKER: I think the member realised that he'd made a mistake and corrected himself pretty quickly therefore I felt like I didn't need to intervene. And I will remind the right honourable gentleman that it's my role not his to sort that out.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The Government—and we just saw it there—doesn't want to speak about the economy and the opportunities that there are for New Zealanders from a strong one. We know that's actually what pays for their health their education the safety and the justice that they need. So today I asked the Prime Minister just a few very basic questions. One of them was: Is the economy getting weaker?" And then she ducked she dived. She would not answer that basic question that we should know the answer to. We should have a sense of that. But the facts are clear. Actually before the last election Treasury said 3.7 percent growth was coming in 2018; now it's 2.3 percent—zero GDP growth per capita per person. In the last week all of the indicators from the various banks—down and significantly. The Reserve Bank is making it quite clear that they also see things shifting significantly to the downside. This Government is slowing down New Zealand. We made the boat go faster. They've dropped anchor and the rope is getting tight.Why is that—why is that? Well Grant Robertson and the Prime Minister say it's all international factors—that's what's doing all of this. But as the ANZ's chief economist said this week "So far negative implications of the evident global slowing still belong in the risk camp."—that is they haven't happened. Treasury said just very recently "Our trading partners have average growth of 3 to 4 percent still coming."—they're still strong. So what is it that is meaning we have less growth and ultimately we will have less opportunities in New Zealand? Well it's because businesses—that we get out on this side and speak to every day of the week; small through large—don't feel confident at this time to take on additional people. They don't feel confident at this time to buy extra plant to take the risks that are required to get ahead and to do well in this country. That is why business confidence in this country is at the lowest it's been in a long time.I say to Mr Peters—who props this Government up—there is no other scenario than that it is his Government's policies that are turning New Zealand's economy downward. And don't believe me Mr Peters—don't believe me. Ask yourself this: will a capital gains tax be good for business confidence and growth? Will it be that a fair pay agreement as it's called—re-unionising the workforce—will be good for New Zealand's business confidence and growth? Will petrol taxes? Will oil and gas bans? Will foreign investment bans be good for New Zealand's business confidence and growth? Of course they won't.So I say to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister if things keep going as they are there will be fewer jobs there'll be fewer opportunities for young New Zealanders trying to get their foot on the ladder and for older New Zealanders trying to get a second chance. Stop and reassess what you're doing. Implement pro-growth policies. Work with businesses so that New Zealanders have the opportunities they expect and deserve to stay in our great country."