The Green Party has strongly condemned the Government's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update, labeling it a failure to address the country's social and infrastructure deficits.
According to Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick, the update reveals that the Government is prolonging the recession through "merciless cuts" and redistributing wealth upwards with trickle-down tax policies. The party claims that these decisions will ultimately harm economic growth and put pressure on public services and infrastructure spending.
Swarbrick asserts that a Green-led government would prioritize people and planet over profit, introducing a fairer tax system and guaranteed minimum income. However, the current Government's approach is seen as a repeat of austerity policies, which have led to the defunding of public services and increased costs for regular citizens.
The criticism comes as the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update sets out the Government's economic plans for the remainder of the year, with many expecting it to shape the future of New Zealand's economy.