LABOUR – Grant Robertson
Over the past five years our Government has been faced with unprecedented crises. We have managed those while supporting New Zealand to shift to a high-wage, low-emissions economy that provides economic security in good times and bad.
An important part of this plan includes addressing the issues of the past that have held us back — child poverty, housing affordability and climate change.
Five examples of how we are creating a more secure economy include:
Building resilient infrastructure —
over successive decades New Zealand’s population has grown but the country has failed to invest in the infrastructure needed to keep up with that growth. This Government is turning that around. We have invested record levels of funding in high-quality infrastructure projects that create jobs and growth, reduce
emissions and make the country more resilient. These are not just major projects like the City Rail Link and water infrastructure, but also the upkeep of schools and hospitals around the country. We are getting on with the investment,
maintenance and upgrades that for too long have been neglected.
Climate-change action —
New Zealand’s brand relies on its clean reputation and ability to produce low-emissions food. We are transitioning the country to a lowemissions economy so we don’t get left behind in the race to produce the most climate-friendly food in the world. We have introduced the Zero Carbon Act, published our first Emissions Reduction Plan, created the Climate Emergency Response Fund, are tackling agriculture emissions and we have introduced vehicle-emissions standards and incentives.
Child wellbeing —
Through our actions, 60,000 children have been lifted out of poverty. These have included lifting benefit rates, increasing the Family Tax Credit and providing free school lunches. More recently we also expanded eligibility for childcare to support more parents, helping ease cost of living pressures on families. Research shows nearly 23 per cent of mothers report difficulties getting childcare while working or want to work. This policy helps remove that barrier and enables parents to enter the workforce to help fill labour shortages, so it’s a win-win for families and the economy.
More public houses —
Our Government is already building more houses than any government since the 1970s, with more than 10,000 homes added to our housing stock. We are giving people a home, which flows through to making renting affordable for those on lowest incomes and also frees up housing stock for others to rent or buy. Building decent quality homes and putting in place Healthy Homes Standards also stop people from getting sick, easing pressure on our health system.
Trades training —
Labour has backed apprentices with programmes like Apprenticeship Boost, Mana in Mahi, He Poutama Rangatahi and Ma¯ori Trades and Training keeping people in jobs and supporting employers to invest in jobseekers. More than 200,000 people have benefited from this. We are creating a local workforce that is highly skilled and productive. These programmes coupled with our immigration reset means New Zealand will have the right people for the right jobs as we grow and prosper.
In all these areas we have made great progress, and there is much more to do. As a country, New Zealand has been hamstrung by long-term challenges and I’m proud of the fact that we are taking on those big challenges and making positive change.
It’s been a tough few years and we are not out of the woods yet. Our Government has navigated the choppy waters and will keep New Zealand on a safe and stable course as we build back better and create a secure economy for all New Zealanders.