By Duncan Garner
Labour has promised to restore $400 million of funding cuts to early childhood centres that affect parents from tomorrow.
But Prime Minister John Key has once again had a swipe at Labour leader Phil Goff, saying the cost of his policies do not stack up.
Hundreds of early childhood education centres are expected to raise their fees tomorrow, a result of the Government's $400 million funding cuts.
Labour says parents will pay more.
“We think the average is $25-35 a week extra,” says Mr Goff.
Mr Key says only centres that insist on employing 100 percent qualified teachers are affected.
He told 3 News prices would not go up.
“I don't think so, no. A lot of the sector is totally unaffected,” he says.
So Labour today promised to reverse the $400 million in cuts if it wins the election.
“It will be a priority for us, it's not only an investment in our children's future but our future. If they’re not in education they won't succeed in the future.”
Mr Goff's fresh pledge of $400 million comes on top of his $1.3 billion tax cut last week - a total of 1.7b in just seven days.
3 News asked how he is going to pay for all this.
“It will come from the sort of economic growth we expect to get in the economy,” says Mr Goff.
Mr Key says Mr Goff's promises are unaffordable.
“It means New Zealand will be downgraded under Phil Goff, he's writing cheques he simply can't afford to cash.”
Labour is working on details of its tax policy including a new tax on foreign money coming into the country, but Mr Goff is vague on details.
“As I said I’m not going into those details now.”
So Mr Goff is having no trouble spending money, but the pressure is on him to say how he is going to pay for his promises.
Mr Key faces pressure too - after two years of heavy borrowing, including giving generous tax cuts he now says we must get on top of debt.
He could have chosen to do that much earlier of course.
3 News