In a somewhat rare move, the Prime Minister has issued a statement slamming the Opposition for its criticism of Government working groups.
On Thursday morning, National Leader Simon Bridges released yet another statement attacking the Government’s numerous working groups.
He says the cost of the 122 groups the Government has formed have so far come at a cost of $114 million to the taxpayer.
For that amount of money, Bridges says the Government could have hired 2100 extra teachers or paid for an extra 20,000 elective surgeries.
“Instead, the Government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars for others to do the work for it.”
This is not the first time National has taken aim at the Government over its many working groups and appears to be a key part of its Opposition strategy.
In the past, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has addressed the issue when asked about it by media.
But Thursday’s statement is one of the first times the Prime Minister has directly issued a statement calling out the Opposition on its argument.
She says Bridges is making “false claims” about the extent of the Government’s work and how much it is costing.
The cost of the reviews, of which she says the Government has only begun 38 she says, is roughly $34.5 million – or 4c in every $100 the Government spends.
“Where we are doing review work, it’s because the public has called for it or there are genuine issues that need to be fixed – be it bowel screening, mental health or insurance claimed in Canterbury.”
In her statement, she pointed the finger at National for wasting taxpayers’ money.
“The $100 million National wasted on decontaminating houses could have built 300 more state homes – instead perfectly good ones sat empty. Now we are reopening those homes.”
Parliament is coming to the end of a two-week recess and will be back on Tuesday next week where this issue is likely to dominate the political discussion.
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.