Goudie Sandra: General Debate 
Goudie Sandra: General Debate 
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SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) 
: 
 Taking a completely different tack from that of the previous speaker I will talk about economic growth. For me ensuring there is economic growth is absolutely vital for New Zealand because that is how we will provide the jobs that will keep our young people here which is what we need in order for there to be a strong future for New Zealand. We want to keep young people here because we also want to pay for our health education and law and order and for the care of our environment. People need to start thinking seriously about how we can achieve that. Do they really want to leave a financial millstone around the necks of their children and grandchildren or do they want to get behind the more aspirational leadership of the Prime Minister John Key and the Deputy Prime Minister Bill English? They are holding New Zealand steady during the most serious tough economic times that we have experienced. 
We inherited empty coffers which were absolutely savaged and ravaged by Clark Cullen and their cronies supported by Phil Goff and the rest of the Labour members who are here still in the House. The Labour members did not have a care or a thought about securing the future for New Zealanders and for all of the young people whom we so desperately need to stay in this country. Clark and Cullen supported by Goff and all their other Labour cronies spent up large and it was a case of to hell with the consequences. So it is no wonder that Labour has no message. 
It is no wonder that Labour members are out there trying to re-brand themselves. What are they doing? They are even asking questions about what people think are the essential elements of Labour’s visual identity. They are asking whether that identity is a red flag or other symbols. I suggest the Labour members look at some other symbols. They are also talking about essential graphic elements: the flag fern green blue stars Pasifika and Maori. I cannot believe it. We all know about the moon and the stars. Labour just does not have a message. 
The Prime Minister John Key and the Deputy Prime Minister Bill English are two of the most outstanding political managers that New Zealand has ever had. I hate to think where we would be today if it were not for their outstanding leadership. Frankly we would be up the proverbial creek. Labour does not have a clue about how to manage money; everybody knows that. I would not even put Labour in charge of a piggy bank. 
Phil Goff does not understand how superannuation works. The Minister of Finance Bill English has taken great pains to repeatedly explain it to him but he just does not get it. So I will explain yet again that a combination of tax cuts and other adjustments has seen New Zealand superannuation payments increase significantly: by $100 a fortnight in the hand for a married couple. I will repeat that because Goff does not get it. I think everybody else does but clearly Labour does not get it. That means an additional $100 a fortnight in the hand for a married couple receiving New Zealand superannuation. 
The Hon Bill English went on to explain the situation further for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition who clearly has no idea what he is talking about on this issue. Let me explain once again that it is quite clearly evident that people understand that the current Labour leader has no understanding of what is happening with regard to New Zealand superannuation. If GST is increased there would be a once-only increase in inflation of just over 2 percent. After-tax New Zealand superannuation rates would be increased on the day of any GST increase by that amount. Do those members get it? In order to meet other and ongoing price increases the usual annual inflation adjustment would be made to superannuation rates so that superannuitants’ spending power was preserved. We have to say that in quite simple clear plain English for the benefit of simple minds but it does not seem to reach through to the Opposition. 
Finally any personal income tax cuts would also increase the amount of superannuation that people received in the hand. Therefore superannuitants who rely on New Zealand superannuation would be better off. 
Labour members should listen up and understand the message. I take Trevor Mallard as an example. What does he blog about to the New Zealand public? All that he does is to think about the time at which the Prime Minister and his Ministers actually turn up to work. I tell members to look at one of his blogs. 
Chris Tremain 
: Yeah very focused. 
SANDRA GOUDIE 
: That is the level of focus of Trevor Mallard. What does that say about the Opposition?