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Greens unimpressed by Key's economic optimism

Author
Frances Cook ,
Publish Date
Tue, 1 Sep 2015, 5:33AM
Green MP Julie-Anne Genter (Newspix)

Greens unimpressed by Key's economic optimism

Author
Frances Cook ,
Publish Date
Tue, 1 Sep 2015, 5:33AM

The Greens are accusing the Prime Minister of playing politics, at the expense of the economy.

LISTEN: Finance Minister Bill English speaks to Rachel Smalley on KPMG Early Edition about the economy.

The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey for August shows confidence has slipped to a six year low, with a net 29% of business owners pessimistic about the economy.

John Key said the survey is still mostly positive, which has left Green Party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter unimpressed.

"He knows he's very popular with the average New Zealander" she said "and he probably thinks that as long as he keeps saying everything is fine, that people will believe it."

"But in the long term that's not going to leave New Zealand in a better position."

Green Party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said it's just the latest bit of bad news.

"While they've taken an approach that is very much about maintaining the status quo, we've seen child poverty increase on their watch, housing affordability is getting out of control."

The Green Party said slowing GDP and job growth and falling business confidence is a reflection of the country's reliance on dairy, oil and gas.

But the Government is hitting back at accusations they aren't doing enough to diversify the economy.

Finance Minister Bill English said the Government is doing its best to allow businesses to adapt to a changing economy.

He said New Zealand is increasingly adopting clean energy options, as coal power stations are closed down.

"It's almost getting cheap enough to compete with your normal electricity tariffs, and I know many businesses are trying to work out the best business model."

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