Why vote Labour?

More jobs

• More than a quarter of a million more jobs in the past five years. Every job is an opportunity, for prosperity, for dignity, for self improvement or maybe for all three. Compare this with the wholesale stripping of jobs from our economy under the policies of the last government.
• One of the lowest unemployment rates in the developed world - 3.9 per cent; and numbers of adults living on benefits down by over 100,000 – a drop of 23 per cent. This is an outstanding achievement. It says that we are not just doing well in a positive global climate but that as a country we are world beaters. This government has put the dream of full employment back on the horizon.
• Nearly 14,000 new Modern Apprentices. Jobs are nice, skilled jobs are great and with the return of apprenticeships a whole new range of opportunity has been returned to my generation of New Zealanders. I have been proud to be involved with encouraging modern apprenticeships in the plastics industry and know that the opportunity is there to do even better yet.  
• Minimum wage raised six times in six years. This sets the bench mark for us all. While the previous government tried to force people out of welfare with their notorious benefit cuts Labour has made it more worthwhile to work. The results above speak for themselves as to which method has served our country better.

Safer communities

• Crime rate down to its lowest level for 21 years. While high profile crimes continue to cause people concern the underlying crime statistics have continually declined. I believe that it is no coincidence that this has coincided with increasing employment and prosperity. Labour has been tough on crime but more importantly we have been tough on the causes of crime.

Better health and education

• Health and education spending up by over thirty nine per cent. These are long term investments, particularly early childhood education and public health. Our government has looked beyond the three year electoral cycle to invest in a brighter future.
• 3.7 million New Zealanders enrolled in Primary Health Organisations, with lower doctor’s fees and prescription charges for the young and old. PHO’s are not only a more cost effective delivery system but they allow a more coordinated response to the health needs of the nation.
• 2,700 more teachers over and above those required for roll growth. One of the key determinants in improving our education outcomes is class sizes. Smaller class sizes equal more attention for our children.

Support for working families

• Working for Families package – benefiting 370,000 families and worth $1.1 billion per annum. This is a logical step in encouraging people from welfare into work and an investment in New Zealand families.

Supporting your future

• Kiwisaver now has more than 700,000 people enrolled and saving for their future. Labour introduced this scheme along with a number of incentives, to encourage New Zealanders to become lifelong savers rather than being committed to a lifetime of debt.  

Remember it is your party vote that determines who forms the government. Vote Labour!