Grant Robertson

John Key's opening statement to Parliament has failed to offer a positive vision of how New Zealand will develop public services that will contribute to our future prosperity, Grant Robertson Labour State Services Spokesperson said today.

"National has no vision for 21st century public services. Yesterday John Key said most agencies will get no additional funding for several years," Grant Robertson said.

"In effect this means on-going cuts that will lead to a huge whole in the services that New Zealanders rely on. This is hardly the basis for providing Kiwis with the services that they need and deserve.

"If National was serious about lifting the quality of public services they would be working with public servants and communities to work out the best way of delivering those services.

"Simply demanding innovation and change will not make it happen. Morale is very low in the public service, and will only get worse with this approach from National."

Grant Robertson said as New Zealanders move out of recession and seek to find work, explore new business opportunities and take some risks they need to know that the government is backing them through providing strong public services.

"Instead the message from National is that they are on their own. We need to invest in public services to support the aspirations of New Zealanders.

"Labour accepts that public services should adapt and change to provide the best possible services to New Zealand, but National's indiscriminate cuts will not see this happen."