Labour's Finance Spokesperson Keeps Party's Fiscal Goals Under Wraps
The Labour Party's finance spokeswoman, Barbara Edmonds, admits she hasn't yet looked at the Greens' alternate budget proposal. She also defends the lack of financial strategies presented by her party.
After delivering a speech following the Budget to around 20 attendees at a Porirua Chamber of Commerce event on Tuesday morning, Edmonds criticized the government’s strategy as a “direct attack” on New Zealand’s core values.
At a Q&A event held at the Supply Room eatery in Paremata, Edmonds was queried about her opinions on the Greens' fiscal plan - revealed just two weeks prior - which encompassed major new taxation measures and increased expenditures.
None intended towards my buddies from the Greens, but I skipped reading their budget," Edmonds stated. "They did have a strategy at least; however, I simply didn’t get around to reading their proposal.
After addressing the press, Edmonds stated she might find time to read it once she finishes reviewing over 2000 pages of the government's Budget.
She stated, 'I'll address it whenever I get around to it.' She added that as an individual, her primary concentration has been on this administration’s Budget.
When asked about her broad perspective on the Green Party's proposals as seen in the media, Edmonds noted that they mainly focused on taxation and increased social expenditure.
Whether it’s balanced or not?... perhaps you should pose that question once I’ve finished reading it.
The Labour Party leader, Chris Hipkins, initially voiced comparable sentiments right after the Greens unveiled their proposal. However, he subsequently characterized it as an extravagant expenditure and not feasible.
Edmond's address on Tuesday provided a harsh critique of the coalition's budget: "Bear in mind, this will go down in history as the Funding reduction that decreased women's wages .
Reducing women’s wages to balance the budget was a conscious choice made by Nicola Willis... when funds allocated for upcoming salary increases are redirected towards another area, it essentially amounts to a reduction. That’s the straightforward truth of the matter.
She stated that the Budget represents a "clear attack" on New Zealand’s values: “As the pioneering nation where women were granted suffrage first globally, fighting for equality is part of our national identity. Rejecting fair pay would contradict what it means to be a Kiwi.”
Although Edmonds began her address by stating that she would outline various options the Labour Party would have chosen for the Budget, she provided minimal specifics apart from broad pledges to fund employment, healthcare, and housing initiatives.
This is how we'll shape a better tomorrow.
When questioned by journalists about several policy suggestions, Edmonds consistently pointed towards the party’s forthcoming fiscal strategy. She avoided giving a clear stance on Labour's desired debt limit or surplus aim and did not comment on whether they would keep the coalition's Investment Boost tax incentive.
Edmonds expressed her comfort with the volume of policies Labour has unveiled so far and stated they would all undergo "thorough consideration."
As Chippy mentioned, we'll be making policy announcements toward the end of the year... however, first we need to go over this budget... and tackle the following budget too... before we unveil our financial strategy.
I understand your enthusiasm and how badly you want to discover the new hook, but my discussion today focused on the government’s Budget, so you’ll need to hold off for now.
While in opposition, the National Party similarly faced criticism regarding a lack of policy detail under a year away from the 2023 election.
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