The National Party is firing more shots at the Government over its spending ahead of the Budget being released on May 19.
Its lower North Island conference was held in Paraparaumu on Sunday.
National's leader Christopher Luxon was working the room today, all smiles during the coffee break but all business and Budget talk on stage.
"Grant Robertson is going to deliver his fifth Budget this week and it's fair to say it's going to be a whopper - because Labour has an absolute addiction to spending and a lot of that is wasteful," he said.
He called for a kickstart to the economy
"A strong economy is how Kiwis get ahead, and that is what the National Party is going to deliver," Luxon said.
His finance spokesperson Nicola Willis delivered blows to the Finance Minister.
"Inflation - while it's your enemy and our enemy - helps the Finance Minister out a bit by pushing more people into higher tax brackets, allowing him to collect more tax," she said.
Robertson is releasing his Budget this week - focussing on climate change and health. He defended his decisions at a pre-Budget speech on Thursday.
"If we decided against reforming our health system we would not see lower fuel prices," he said.
He's backing his banking skills, arguing: "I believe we do have a very carefully balanced spending programme."
National disagrees.
"Debt is now at 36 percent of GDP and is continuing to rise," Willis said.
The party made its stance on the health reforms crystal clear to its members and the public.
"We'll abolish the Maori Health Authority," Luxon said.
However all that tough talk was put aside when Luxon was asked about the Prime Minister, who's isolating with COVID.
"I just wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her joining us back in Parliament as soon as possible," Luxon said.
Luxon made a speedy exit from the auditorium with Willis - but not too speedy. There's always time for another handshake.
