Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Economists praise Labor's stimulus package

Updated at 7:28 pm on 18 August 2010

Fifty of Australia's leading economists have come out in support of the Government's stimulus package as the Coalition continues to argue Labor did nothing to get the country through the global economic crisis.

The Coalition says Labor wasted money and has simply driven up debt unnecessarily.

Australia is the only developed country to have escaped recession during the economic crisis, yet various polls indicate many voters do not believe Labor can take any credit for that, Radio New Zealand's political editor reports.

However, in an open letter, 50 economists say the stimulus package did help avert recession and saved jobs.

The Coalition argues low interest rates and the low value of the Australian dollar, plus exports to China, were what helped stave off recession. It gives Labor no credit for its economic management.

Just who voters ultimately believe could determine which party will run the economy and the government after the election on Saturday.

Listen to report on Checkpoint

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