A new Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll shows a majority of voters believe the Coalition Government is performing poorly on every major economic issue measured.
Respondents were asked whether they thought the Government was doing a “good job” or “bad job” in five key areas. In no category did the Government receive a net positive score.
The net results were:
- Growing the economy: -3 percent
- Reducing costs for households: -39 percent
- Managing the national accounts to return to surplus: -1 percent
- Creating jobs: -33 percent
- Reducing wasteful spending: -4 percent
Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said the findings showed public confidence in the Government’s economic management was eroding.
“Poll after poll shows the cost of living and the economy are top of voters’ minds. These results suggest they are losing faith in the Government’s economic management,” Ross said. “With the Coalition’s numbers on a knife-edge, the link is clear.”
Ross criticised Finance Minister Nicola Willis, saying “Willis winging it isn’t working. There’s more bureaucrats now than when Labour left office, Willis is spending more than Labour, and she’s borrowing at a faster rate. That’s caused inflation to track back up, and the ‘going for growth’ results are paltry.”
He questioned what Willis had done differently from former finance minister Grant Robertson, saying the Government had failed to be bold on the economy or rein in excessive spending.
“The message from the polls is loud and clear: the Government is failing to be bold on the economy or cutting excessive spending. And that failure is costing them,” Ross said.
The full poll results are available at taxpayers.org.nz.
