ACT leader David Seymour says New Zealanders should brace for rising costs, warning that the war in Iran is already driving up energy and transport prices.
He pointed to a reported 27% fuel surcharge from Maersk on land transport for New Zealand imports, as well as a 20% price increase on plastic guttering from Marley.
When asked about warnings that New Zealand could slip into a period of low growth and high inflation, Seymour said the way through was to lift productivity, grow real wages, and cut back on red tape.
He also emphasised the government’s “open-mindedness” about supporting efforts by the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but only after a ceasefire is in place and with broad political backing.
“We’re not going into a conflict zone,” Seymour said.
He said keeping trade flowing through key sea lanes is firmly in New Zealand’s national interest.
ACT’s immigration proposal
David Seymour also defended ACT’s new immigration policy, pushing back on claims that the proposals were largely just “posturing.”
The plan includes six measures, among them a proposed $6-a-day “infrastructure surcharge” on temporary work visas. Seymour said the levy could raise around $80 million, which he believes could go toward building public services. He added that, in time, the government could point to those projects and say they were funded by migrants, showing a direct contribution to infrastructure.
“Imagine for a moment every couple of years opening a new courthouse, police station, or small hospital, saying migrants to New Zealand funded this; we’re actually contributing to infrastructure.”
Seymour argued the current mix of skills isn’t right, pointing out that around 2,500 visas went to fast-food workers over four years, compared with just 30 issued for biomedical engineers.
“That’s not really the skill that most people have in mind,” he added.
He also said enforcement also needs to be stepped up, with Immigration New Zealand being aware of about 20,000 overstayers last year.