Source: Taxpayers Union
29 SEPTEMBER 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is warning that Labour’s $1 billion health policy could turn into unproductive black hole spending unless efficiencies are found.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “In 2019’s Wellbeing Budget, the Government announced an $823 million increase in funding for mental health services. At the time, we warned that this could turn into ‘black hole spending’, with ever more taxpayer funds being thrown at mental health problems, regardless of the services’ performance.”“Now, our warning appears to have borne out as Labour announces an additional $151 spend on mental health services in schools.”“Politicians think taxpayers have short memories – we’re expected to cheer big funding packages for mental health, then forget about it so the Government can make the same costly announcement a few short years later.”“Was the initial spend not successful? Was it targeted at the wrong people? These questions go unaddressed in Labour’s policy.”“Political parties campaigning on even bigger health budgets must also identify reforms to deliver better returns for every dollar the taxpayer sp
