Why vote Labour?
More jobs
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!