Upston Louise: General Debate 
Upston Louise: General Debate 
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LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 I am delighted to enter this debate this afternoon and to speak about the confused Opposition and the mixed messages that are coming from the current Leader of the Opposition. I want to examine some of the statements that reinforce the delusion and the confusion of the Opposition. I will look at three areas: the economy education and programmes for young people. Firstly let us take a reality check. We are in the worst global recession since the 1930s. Unfortunately that does mean unemployment will rise and anyone who says that this will not happen is dishonest deluded and living in la-la land. 
Let us take a little trip through history. The four highest years of growth in the unemployment benefit in New Zealand were 1987 1988 1989 and 1990—goodness me—and the Ministers of Employment were Phil Goff and Annette King; surprise surprise! They had a challenge to deal with back then. In 1988 when unemployment was rising rapidly the Minister of Employment Phil Goff said: “New jobs take time to emerge. … We would all like recovery growth and full employment to happen right now. Unfortunately the economy does not work like that.” We agree. There is no quick fix. The National Government is responding responsibly and recognises that there is no silver bullet. 
Let us have a look at what National is doing in running a responsible Budget in these tough economic times. It is keeping our credit rating up and interest rates down maintaining welfare entitlements investing $7.5 billion in productive infrastructure over the next 4 years and a billion dollars on roads. The people of my electorate appreciate the Waikato Expressway that has been funded as part of that infrastructure. It is also investing $323 million to provide insulation and heating for Kiwis who live in cold houses. The Government is providing record spending on front-line services in health in education and in law and order and as well it is providing $500 million in assistance to small to medium sized enterprises. 
Let us look at education. National is focusing its spending in education on improving literacy and numeracy. In tight economic times we cannot afford every programme but we are committed to spending on quality. Let us have another walk back into the dark ages. Phil Goff recognised that “The need for New Zealand to live within its means and competition from other priorities within education spending set a limit on the extent to which the Government is able to keep pace with expanding demand …”. That was from 1989. Well New Zealand has to live within its means and New Zealanders understand that. New Zealanders understand that this Government has to make tough decisions around where the money is spent. 
This Government is not deluded as the Opposition is. Those members seem to think that the Government’s coffers are a bottomless pit and that everything and anything that could be spent should be spent plus a little bit more on top. The Opposition is in la-la land. The Government is dealing with reality and focusing on literacy and numeracy and is ensuring that we have skilled young people who are ready for work. 
The final thing I want to comment on is the youth camps. Phil Goff said this week that youth camps have a proven track record of failure. Yet—as I say the mixed message and the confusion—he is on record as saying that Labour would also encourage young offenders into the armed services to gain discipline self-esteem and trade qualifications. There is a programme in the Taupo electorate that is working with youth at risk and it is getting great results. Funnily enough the programme is based on armed services thinking. Participants gain discipline and self-esteem; surprise surprise! This Government is working hard for New Zealand. It is working on the economy it is working on education and it is making sure that young people get the breaks they need. Guess what? New Zealanders know it. Take a look at the polls and we will realise that New Zealanders know that this Government is working hard for them. It is working on the areas that matter to them as hard-working New Zealanders.