Ruth Richardson Withdraws from Debate with Nicola Willis

Taxpayers’ Union chairwoman and former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson has withdrawn from a planned debate with Finance Minister Nicola Willis, which followed accusations of Willis misrepresenting promises on debt and spending. Richardson criticized the debate’s format, stating she would not participate in what she deemed a “circus” at Parliament, especially after the release of a Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update revealing a projected fiscal surplus is unattainable. She expressed concern that the debate was a distraction from the government’s fiscal failures.

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