English refuses to allow Treasury to cost Greens policy

19 April 2016

English refuses to allow Treasury to cost Greens policy

The Finance Minister has refused to allow the Treasury to cost Green Party policy despite rules allowing political parties to access such a costing.

In January, the Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei proposed the formation of the Policy Costings Unit (PCU), which would operate independently to cost the policy of political parties. At the time, the Prime Minister dismissed the idea saying it would cost too much, so the Green Party asked Treasury to cost the PCU proposal in February.

“Currently, political parties can get their policy costed by Treasury, but need the permission of the Finance Minister,” said Mrs Turei.

“By refusing to allow Treasury to cost our policy, Bill English has proven this is why we need an independent policy costings unit which is not subject to political interference.

“National is just worried that if other parties start costing their policies independently, they will have to do so also and their spin will crumble.

“Bill English’s decision not to allow our policy to be costed is small minded and politically motivated. He is happy to keep voters in the dark while throwing stones from the side-lines.

“It is New Zealanders who are worse off because they will not be able to get accurate costing information to make decisions at the election,” said Mrs Turei.

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