Mapp Wayne: Appropriation (2005/06 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading Imprest Supply Debate 
Mapp Wayne: Appropriation (2005/06 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading Imprest Supply Debate 
[Volume:627;Page:22259] 
Dr WAYNE MAPP (National—North Shore) 
: 
 That was Sutton the speedster—the man who was so oblivious of road conditions in South Canterbury that he was not aware his vehicle was travelling at 172 kilometres an hour. That is over 100 miles an hour in the old language and frankly it is simply not believable that someone could be unaware of that speed. I guess one is judged by one’s actions. There is a man—Mr Sutton—who simply will not fess up who will duck and weave and who will then expect people to believe other things he says. Well he will be judged by the public of New Zealand for speeding at 172 kilometres per hour. 
Where is his public statement defending the loyal police officers of this country? Frankly the matter is outrageous—and it is no wonder he is walking out right now. If only he would get on a plane and go down to the District Court in Timaru! 
Despite the bluff and bluster of this Government the big contest will be between National’s tax package versus the Government’s desperate actions and desperate speeding. 
Hon Phil Goff 
: Got a think tank working on it? 
Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: That is why the Government is in trouble. Government members know it—and we saw the actions of Mr Goff yesterday. They know that New Zealanders are being crushed by the prospect of a miserable 67c tax cut. When will they get it? They will get it in 2008. That is as good as it gets under this Government and that is why New Zealanders are saying: “Goodbye Labour. We’re sick of you. We know it can get better than 67c per week in 3 years’ time.” 
Mr Goff is in the House today. He knows full well why he released those documents yesterday. That action was desperate and devious because this is a desperate Government trying to distract attention from its complete and utter failure on the tax front. 
Hon Phil Goff 
: What did “Locky” say? 
Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: I say to Mr Goff that New Zealanders are not that foolish. They will not be distracted because they know that the real issue is the one that affects their real lives: the money in their own pockets. 
I say as well that the election is about values. I ask the Government why the Prime Minister cannot acknowledge her role in the notorious speeding incident. Frankly it is so— 
Hon Dover Samuels 
: Ha ha! 
Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: Government members laugh about that. The speed was so high that children in a bus had to leave the road in fear for their lives. The Prime Minister is like some Eastern potentate streaming through the hamlets of New Zealand faster than a light aircraft scattering villagers in fear. What an appalling example to New Zealanders! The public will judge the Prime Minister by her values. She is no Eastern potentate; she lives in a democracy. She will be accountable to the public of New Zealand and I predict that she will not like the verdict. 
Elections are about the big issues; they are not about the sideshows and they are not about the desperate diversions. The Government knows full well that taxes have gone up from $32 billion 5 years ago to $45 billion now. We have 41 new taxes but that is not enough for Labour; Labour wants more. Its more is open to having ever more so it will increase taxes to $57 billion. Even though there is a $7 billion surplus Labour will increase taxes by another $12 billion. 
Do members know what taxpayers will get? They will get an extra 67c in 3 years’ time. I say to this Government—and more importantly to New Zealanders—that relief is on the way because National is going to announce a significant tax policy. We know perfectly well that a surplus of $7 billion—which is a $2000 surplus per head: every man woman and child in this country—provides an opportunity for a decent reasonable and prudent tax cut. In fact every party other than Labour that I have heard from in this Parliament today ranging from United Future through New Zealand First to ACT—and dare I say it even Mr Anderton himself who proposes a 30c corporate or business tax—says there is scope for a reasonable tax cut. 
In reality it is about background and experience. No one in New Zealand can possibly believe the preposterous allegations by the Labour Government that National would put up interest rates. For heaven’s sake the leader of the National Party is a former Governor of the Reserve Bank. For 14 years he was the man who squeezed inflation out of this country to the everlasting benefit of the country and its economy. The growth that exists today is a direct result of sensible Reserve Bank policies so for Labour to suggest seriously to the New Zealand public that National would be so imprudent as to have a policy that would increase inflation and interest rates is sheer cant and completely irresponsible. 
 Frankly the public will see through that because as I have said and as is clear the public will not be fooled. They will not be fooled by Mr Goff. He can make his desperate plays as much as he wants. He can focus on the sideshows. 
Hon Phil Goff 
: The truth hurts. 
Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: That is Mr Goff focusing on the sideshows. Well I say to Mr Goff that in 7 weeks’ time the public will judge this Government on the real issues. The real issues will be the Government’s reckless spending and our prudent tax approach the Government’s reckless division of New Zealanders on the basis of race and our policy of bringing New Zealanders together the Government’s reckless student loans approach and our approach of giving New Zealanders real choices in education and the Government’s reckless approach on welfare spending whereby the number of sickness beneficiaries has increased by 44 percent. That is reality: the number of sickness beneficiaries has increased by 44 percent. We say that there should be accountability. 
I conclude by saying that in the year 2000 Mr Goff introduced legislation that he said listened to New Zealand’s concerns about crime. He said in the select committee that New Zealanders were sick and tired of people being released after serving two-thirds of their sentence. What was his solution? They are out now in one-third of the time. 
National says that the violent criminal will serve the full time. That is the cry; that is what New Zealanders want. So the election will be contested on Labour’s divisions and failed policies and National’s policy of dealing with the issues of mainstream New Zealand.