A public meeting in Wellington co-hosted by Wellington Labour MPs Grant Robertson, Annette King and Labour List MP Charles Chauvel invited Opposition spokesperson David Cunliffe on his response to the National-ACT-Peter Dunne-Maori Government’s budget for 2010.

The meeting, attended by nearly 70 people, was held as a part of meetings being hosted across the country.

“It is not an economic budget, it is a political budget. It is designed to do one thing; to get the National Party re-elected next year so that the real cuts to public services and their campaign of privatisations can begin” said Cunliffe.

“New Zealand needs a government that will put the long term interests of the country ahead of its own popularity. Strategic deficits,  fiscal risks and focus groups will be the seeds of their demise.”

"NZ needs a Government with a real plan to protect jobs and grow incomes by closing the savings deficit, boosting exports,  improving the current account and getting serious about innovation. Prudent fiscal management wil continue to matter but it must not be confused with a strategic plan for growth and jobs."

Charles Chauvel supported David Cunliffe's comments. “The budget fails to address how to create a 21st century economy, provides few incentives for research and development, it places another burden on future generations, and creates a false impression that low and middle income kiwi families will be better off.  It does nothing for the environment, or to create and maintain a sustainable society".

“The Government is gambling that the new Zealand public won’t find out.”

Chauvel has sent surveys to local businesses and individuals in the Ohariu electorate as he continues to assess the impacts of this year’s budget.

 More photos from the meeting are on the photos page.