National says if it were in government it would create 10,000 jobs a month and get unemployment heading down to 4 percent by 2025.
National's leader Judith Collins is in Auckland announcing her party's economic development policy, under which it would commit to a two-year moratorium on changes in regulations and policies that add costs to businesses.
Measures under the policy include a range of promises National has already made during the election campaign.
National would commit to the following:
- Setting a target of 4 percent unemployment by 2025.
- Replacing the RMA with a new Planning Act biased towards development, and an Environmental Standards Act to protect the Environment.
- Committing to a two-year moratorium on changes in regulations and policies that add costs to Kiwi businesses.
- No tax increases or introducing any new taxes.
- Suspending next year's minimum wage increase.
- Putting a halt to 70's style fair-pay agreements that the government plans to implement
- Supporting businesses with $10,000 to hire new staff and provide modern, flexible working practices.
- Support new business owners through its BusinessStart package
- A suite of investment-friendly tax initiatives including instant depreciation of up to $150,000 per asset and doubling the depreciation rate for businesses to invest in new plant equipment and machinery over a year
- Encourage high skilled migrants including surgeons, rocket-engineers and scientist to choose a life in New Zealand to help grow the economy and create more jobs.
National's economic development spokesperson Todd McClay also attended the announcement and is calling for other political parties to follow his party's lead in committing to a two-year regulation and policy moratorium "in order to support businesses to lead the economic recovery".
Collins says: "New Zealand needs a government that not only understands the issues businesses are facing right now, but has the plan and experience to overcome those issues.
"National will revive the economy by supporting our businesses to bounce back and giving them the confidence to lead the recovery and create more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and their families."
RNZ
