Winston Peters blames greedies, not oldies, for recession

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has railed against partial privatisation, the increase in GST and tax cuts for the wealthy as he tries to galvanise his supporters ahead of this year’s election.

In a speech to Ashburton Grey Power today, Mr Peters told the audience, “The worldwide recession is not your fault. It was caused by the greedies in the banking and finance industry.”

He warned, “You are being softened up for cuts in social spending in the next budget.

“Every day the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers tell the nation how bad things are.

“And every day a new figure of ten, fifteen, twenty billion is thrown about as the amount of extra money the government will need.

“This is a clear signal that more state assets will be sold than the government is letting on.”

Mr Peters spoke about the “folly” of selling state assets, and warned that if New Zealand’s power stations are part of a public share float they will end up owned overseas.

He said if New Zealand First was gone “your pension would be reduced tomorrow and your SuperGold card would be worthless. As well, the age of eligibility would be lifted.”

New Zealand First has promised to extend the SuperGold card into senior medical care, allowing a free medical check each year for over 65s with doctors visits capped at $10.

Mr Peters attacked the GST rise, saying Prime Minister John Key had promised before the election not to increase GST.

He also attacked the government’s tax cuts programme, referring to Westpac chief executive George Frazis, saying he got more than $5000 a week extra because of his tax cut.

However, someone on the minimum wage of $13 an hour (recently raised by 25c) only receives just over $27,000 a year, equating to $437 a week take-home pay, he said.

“Times are tough through no fault of your own. And we commend those thousands of New Zealanders who look after each other and help each other out.

“You paid your dues while in the workforce. You raised your kids, did work for the community and kept your side of the bargain.

“Now you are regarded as a public expense when you really are a public asset. Each and every one of you.”