Douglas Roger: General Debate 
Douglas Roger: General Debate 
[Volume:668;Page:14867] 
Hon Sir ROGER DOUGLAS (ACT) 
: 
 For the past 15 years New Zealand has been slipping slowly—some people would say not so slowly—into economic difficulty; some might even say that it is headed towards chaos. This has happened over the past 15 years because both Labour and National have been prepared to compromise any principles they claim to have. We have seen a preparedness to write a cheque for whatever demands the latest focus-group puts out there. The worst case of this was probably at the 2005 election when Labour was re-elected probably thanks to interest-free student loans. That did the trick. This year it is putting up the idea that it would take GST off some items of food. That is why New Zealand is in economic difficulty. I must say that it is not helped by a National Government that says: “These things are sacred. We will not touch the interest-free student loans.” even when it knows it is madness; “We will not look at the age of retirement of 65.” when it knows that the big issue that will confront New Zealand over the next 10 or 20 years is the clash between young and old as the young start to say that they are either leaving this country or they are not prepared to pay for the benefits at the current level. The National Government will not touch Working for Families and it will not even look at the issue of privatisation even if it means higher productivity. 
The fact is that we as a nation are borrowing $250 million a week or $13 billion a year. For a family of four we are borrowing about $240 a week. We have had a situation where over the last 11 years this country has increased Government expenditure out of all proportion to what is reasonable. We have seen a situation whereby Government spending per person under Labour increased over 9 years by $5500 in real terms and in 2 years under National it has increased by $1500 in real terms. Government spending has increased by $7000 per person in real terms or by $525 a week for a family of four. 
We might well ask what we as a nation get for that increased spending of $7000 per person or $525 a week for a family of four. Do all children receive a decent education as a result of this massive increase in public spending? No. Do most people retire with enough money to live in comfort in this country? No. Does everyone receive health treatment when they need it? We have increased public expenditure by $7000 per person or by $525 a week for a family of four. Do they get health treatment when they need it? No. Have we eradicated poverty? No. On the very goals that the welfare State has sought to achieve no one in this country can genuinely argue that we have succeeded. Even the modern-day proponents of the welfare State be it National Labour the Greens or the Maori Party know deep down that it has failed. But they think they have the solution that all we need to do is increase spending; but increasing Government spending by $7000 per person in real terms over 11 years has not done it—maybe $10000 will! The fact is that National and Labour should apologise to the people of this country. They do not really care. The only thing they care about is re-election.