Labour Party
1,385 posts | 23 images
Reporting of unsafe conditions at Huntly underground mine is further proof of an inherently dangerous culture, and one that the Department of Labour appears to be incapable of addressing, West Coast/Tasman MP Damien O’Connor says.
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The lockout of 100 workers by ANZCO CMP in Marton, now in its seventh week, should raise alarm bells for companies who are part of the supply chain, says Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues Darien Fenton.
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Buck passing over the future of a threatened Otago landmark has got to stop, Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran says.
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CHRISTCHURCH — Lianne Dalziel Sky City Convention Centre Auckland I wish to begin by thanking you for inviting me to present this address today.
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Fifty three per cent of New Zealand families are now either barely able or unable to meet their basic needs as housing costs continue to rise and pay packets shrink, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.
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Labour will keep the campaign pressure up till the last possible minute, to fight for a future for all Kiwis, Labour’s campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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The substantial jump in mortgagee sales in the past quarter, showing Mums and Dads losing their homes, gives a more accurate picture about what’s happening to Kiwis than National’s assurances that we are over the hump of the bad times, says Labour’s Associate Finance spokesperson David Parker.
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National’s latest empty promises on asset sales won’t convince voters, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.
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National's hysterical reaction to the revelation that police have cancelled their intake of new recruits in the new year shows how desperate they were to stop it going public before the election, says Labour's Campaign Spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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National has left out from its election policies three core policy promises that featured in their last election campaign, raising questions about their commitment to critical policy in health, housing and education, says Labour’s Campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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National is concealing its intention to sell off our farmland to foreign buyers well under the radar before the election, says Labour’s Economic Development and Associate Finance spokesperson David Parker.
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John Key’s so-called action plan if National is returned to government on Saturday misses two vital ingredients – ‘action’ and ‘plan’, Labour’s campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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The call by a large recruitment company to set up a taskforce to look at how best to attract and keep skilled workers in New Zealand may have some merit, but Labour would simply get on with the job of implementing its skills strategy, says Labour’s Associate Education spokesperson Carol Beaumont.
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Labour will put the needs of families and children first with polices which focus on stable and healthy homes, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Moana Mackey.
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No New Zealand child should continue to live in poverty, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.
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John Key must be honest with Kiwis and tell them truthfully what assets he's going to put on the auction block and when, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.
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The refusal by the National Government to disclose advice it has on the sale of Solid Energy and other energy State Owned Enterprises is a clear sign West Coast interests will not be well served, Labour MP based in West Coast/Tasman, Damien O’Connor says.
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John Key has been given a resounding vote of no confidence with one hundred Kiwis leaving New Zealand for a ‘brighter future’ in Australia each day over the last month, Labour Leader Phil Goff said.
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National’s plans to divert funding to schools that are already ‘high performing’ shows its agenda has nothing to do with lifting under-achievement, says Labour's education spokesperson, Sue Moroney.
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National has today attempted to use its education policy launch to sell its unpopular asset sales policy, Labour’s Education spokesperson Sue Moroney says.
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A no-holds barred documentary screening on TV3 tomorrow that reveals the sickening truth about child poverty in New Zealand should be a wake-up call for John Key and every member of his National-led government, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Social Policy spokesperson Annette King says.
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John Key’s claim today that Kiwis support asset sales is laughable, Labour campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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Twelve months ago, 29 men went to work in the Pike River Mine and never came home.
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Disturbing images of children with preventable skin infections in a documentary airing on television tomorrow night reflect the alarming rise in the diseases of poverty, something that must be addressed by the next government, Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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I want to start by thanking every one for coming out today.
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Labour is committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from unethical and predatory practices, says Labour’s spokesperson for Consumer Affairs Carol Beaumont.
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A Labour government would reverse the changes made by National which have made it harder for victims of domestic violence to access and maintain state housing tenancies, says Labour's housing spokesperson Moana Mackey.
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Tony Ryall needs to provide specific details of where his 800 extra “ghost” doctors will be found, following a strong reaction against his claims by specialist doctors at their conference yesterday, Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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Labour today released New Zealand’s first comprehensive Open Government policy developed in consultation with the public, committing to a set of principles and actions to instil greater confidence in government.
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Labour has today announced a comprehensive and bold plan to kick-start our economy by helping businesses grow, lifting wages, creating jobs and providing financial relief to struggling Kiwis so we have a future we can look forward to.
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Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford says he is concerned that the possibility of simultaneous tolls on the existing Harbour Bridge as well as on a second Harbour crossing will unfairly impact on North Shore residents.
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Labour is today putting loan sharks and other predatory lenders on notice,” says Consumer Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont.
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National’s health policy released today is a dossier of re-cycled ‘initiatives’ that raises more questions than it answers, Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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Getting people back to work is at the heart of Labour’s Social Development policy, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.
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Police have more important things to do than waste time serving media outlets with search warrants for information on last week’s cup of tea media stunt, Labour’s campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
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Asset sales, the ever-widening wage gap with Australia, and the Kiwi exodus across the Tasman, feature on a list of National’s Top 10 Broken Promises, being released by Labour today.
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Under Labour there will be no forced council mergers without people having a say in a referendum, says Local Government spokesperson Phil Twyford.
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Labour will restore the $2 million of cuts to frontline Biosecurity services made by National in 2009, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.
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Transport Minister Steven Joyce should tell Dunedin and the workers at Hillside Rail Workshops whether a National Government would ensure it has a future, Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran says “It’s time Steven Joyce was held accountable on the decisions being made about our rail engineering workshops.
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Plans to build a private tunnel through some of this country’s most spectacular wilderness areas should never have been allowed to get as far as they have, Labour’s Conservation spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.
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A Colmar Brunton poll showing huge backing for public transport proves how out of touch the National Government is in its fixation on roads, say Labour’s Transport spokesperson Shane Jones and Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.
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The Gisborne to Napier rail line is being set up to fail says Labour MP and East Coast candidate Moana Mackey.
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Rebuilding front line services is vital to ensure an effective, innovative and efficient state sector that works for all New Zealanders, Labour’s State Services spokesperson Ruth Dyson said.
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John Key needs to front up about why he is so determined to resuscitate the ACT Party which is in terminal decline, says Labour Campaign spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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Sue Moroney - Education Spokesperson: Labour’s education policy recognises children and young people are New Zealand’s future and that every one of them deserves access to quality education.
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New Zealand’s internationally declining broadband performance raises serious questions about whether this Government’s $1.5 billion ultrafast broadband investment will actually make the country digitally competitive, says Labour’s communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran.
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The forty one jobs lost at KiwiRail’s Dunedin Hillside workshops today illustrate the real-life effects of government procurement policy, says Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson David Parker and Labour MP for Dunedin South Clare Curran.
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Tony Ryall has admitted that the 2011 Health Budget is more than $150 million short of keeping up with the growth in costs facing the health sector, says Labour’s Health Spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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Older New Zealanders should not be barred from participating in jury trials because of their age, says Labour’s spokesperson for Senior Citizens Steve Chadwick.
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Nick Smith’s blind faith that the market will deliver lower cost accident cover for employers isn’t supported by any real evidence, says Labour’s ACC spokesperson Chris Hipkins.
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The Government has missed another opportunity to respond to the review of the New Zealand Film Commission, instead opting again to tinker around the edges of arts policy with no sign of a robust plan for the sector, says Labour’s Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson Steve Chadwick.
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National’s plan announced today to privatise ACC will result in New Zealanders having to pay more to get less, says Labour’s ACC spokesperson Chris Hipkins.
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The Government has overseen a half billion dollar blow-out in Super City IT costs, but won’t be held accountable, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.
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The benefits of 20 hours free ECE will go and parents will face higher fees if the ECE Taskforce’s funding recommendations are implemented, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Sue Moroney.
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The shuffling of agencies and responsibilities in the health sector looks like a continuation of National’s 'pain without gain' philosophy, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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AUCKLAND CITY — The draft report by the Board of Inquiry on the extension of State Highway 20 strikes a good balance between meeting the needs of the local community, and the wider objectives of the road, says Labour's MP for Mt Albert David Shearer.
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The Maori Fisheries Conference last weekend, revealed an embarrassing admission from the Minister of Fisheries as to the problem of third world labour and conditions on board charter fishing vessels, says Labour’s MP based in West Coast Tasman Damien O’Connor.
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CHRISTCHURCH — Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson says it is offensive for the Government to claim it intends consulting with community organisations on reclamation work at Port Lyttelton when it has already announced today that it is fast-tracking the proposal.
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Bringing agriculture into the ETS in 2013 will present a challenge for the industry but offer opportunities at the same time, says Labour’s Agriculture spokesperson Damien O’Connor.
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The Government has dumped the cost of health workers’ Kiwisaver schemes on to District Health Boards, putting further pressure on budgets that are not keeping up with inflation and an ageing population, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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The Government’s broadband plan will tie up $1.35 billion of taxpayer funds until possibly 2036, with taxpayers bearing the cost of hundreds of millions of dollars in interest, says Labour’s communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran.
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The announcement today of the creation of the 12.5% tax credit for additional research and development marks an important step for the New Zealand economy, says Labour's Economic Development Spokesperson David Parker.
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National’s decision to sell off without mandate the state-owned power companies and a chunk of Air New Zealand flies in the face of the harsh economic realities facing Kiwi Mums and Dads, says Labour’s SOEs spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove.
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WELLINGTON CITY — The Pacific community are grieving the loss of Wellington based Queen’s Counsel, Dr George Barton, a champion of Pacific rights, says Labour’s Pacific Island spokesperson Su’a William Sio.
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Labour steadfastly opposes National’s plan to privatise the ACC work account and will continue to strongly criticise Minister Nick Smith’s plan to work towards that goal by stealth, says Labour’s spokesperson for ACC Chris Hipkins.
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The Government has refused to rule out using migrant labour in the rebuild of Christchurch even though it still has time to ensure enough Kiwis are trained to do the work, says Labour’s Employment spokesperson Jacinda Ardern.
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Steven Joyce has ditched the controversial anti-competitive regulatory holiday in his broadband Bill for what appears to be an even worse stitched together last minute compromise that has been forced on him by the Maori Party, says Labour’s communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran.
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The revelation that schools have been told by the Ministry of Education to include National Standards in their charters --- even if they are not implementing the standards --- calls into question Government data on the issue, says Labour’s Education spokesperson, Sue Moroney.
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NEW PLYMOUTH — News today that the cost of taking the bus in Palmerston North is set to jump by 25% is just another blow to those struggling to make ends meet says Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway.
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Labour has today spelt out its opposition to the government’s new broadband bill as anti-competitive, promoting monopolistic behaviour and likely to result in higher costs to consumers for the new broadband network.
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Housing Minister Phil Heatley needs to come clean on his plans for state housing following the placement of an advertisement on Trade Me over the weekend for a 'Property Divestment Expert' within Housing New Zealand, says Labour Housing Spokesperson Moana Mackey.
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The scourge of rheumatic fever in New Zealand will only be addressed by tackling inequities and the social causes of the disease, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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WAITAKERE CITY — Labour MPs say the Government’s plan to shut the highly-regarded Waitakere Family Court is a blow to the West Auckland community that will make it harder for the area’s children and families to get access to justice.
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Kiwis struggling to pay the bills each week won’t be surprised to learn that food prices have increased 6.1 per cent in the year to April 2011, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.
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CHRISTCHURCH — Thousands of Canterbury people will face cold, miserable winter months ahead because of unacceptable delays to installing heating systems in their damaged homes, says Labour’s Earthquake Recovery spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove.
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In a desperate attempt to defend the Government’s ‘Find A Job’ website Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said today that “any job’s a good job” even if its legality is questionable, says Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues Darien Fenton.
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International Nurses Day is a chance to celebrate the essential role that nurses play in the delivery of quality healthcare, and to commit to making sure that role is enhanced, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson.
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The funding allocated to the manuka honey industry by National’s Primary Partnership for Growth fund would have been better spent on frontline Biosecurity, says Labour’s spokesperson for Biosecurity Damien O’Connor.
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Labour will vote against National’s broadband bill and in Government would repeal sections of it that we believe will have an anti-competitive effect on the telecommunications industry to the detriment of consumers, says Labour’s spokesperson for Communications and IT, Clare Curran.
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National’s plan to cut KiwiSaver and Working For Families will hurt middle and low-income New Zealanders while doing nothing to address the huge economic problems this country is facing, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.
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Few prime ministerial economic speeches could be as less inspiring or more misleading than John Key’s today, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.
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The Cabinet paper on freshwater policy from Environment Minister Nick Smith shows water quality will take many years, if ever, to be restored to parts of New Zealand, says Labour’s water spokesman Brendon Burns.
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Labour Leader Phil Goff has confirmed that MP Kelvin Davis has been selected as the party’s candidate for the Te Tai Tokerau by-election.
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ROTORUA — The controversial Rotorua Eastern Arterial route has hit more than one snag on its road to completion, says Steve Chadwick Labour’s list MP based in Rotorua.
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The decision to close three of six schools in Kawerau represents a misjudgement which places cost cutting above quality education and public consultation, says Labour’s List MP based in Rotorua Steve Chadwick.
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Labour’s Water spokesperson Brendon Burns says any step forward to improve water quality is welcome, but the Government's announcements yesterday are negated by steps backwards.
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The National Government reeks of hypocrisy calling on Kiwis to tighten their belts and get used to living without 'nice to haves' while spending hundreds of thousands of dollars flashing up ministerial houses, splashing out on brand new BMWs, and jetting around the world in military planes, says Labour's Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins.
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John Key is telling struggling Kiwis that they must learn to live without ‘nice to haves’ and to make the right ‘lifestyle choices’ at the same time as splashing out on new carpet and curtains for Premier House, says Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins.
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Labour is trying to give the Environment Protection Authority teeth, says Labour’s Environment spokesperson Charles Chauvel.
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WEST COAST — Solid Energy’s announcement that it wishes to acquire the assets of Pike River is a good move, says West Coast Labour MP Damien O’Connor.
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Labour today released proof that the Prime Minister of the day can decline diplomatic protection should he or she wish to.
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Prime Minister John Key has many more questions to answer about his helicopter ride with the Vela brothers, according to Labour MP Pete Hodgson.
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Staff for Members of Parliament will now face the 90 day no rights trial period, unless they are employed to work for Labour, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues.
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Labour backs support for mothers and babies, but is worried that other health services may be cut to pay for yesterday’s announcement, by Health Minister Tony Ryall, Maternal Health spokesperson Steve Chadwick said today.
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Any drop in the unemployment rate is welcome news, but a 0.1 percent decrease is not nearly enough, Labour employment spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says.
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully’s justifications for using RNZAF aircraft to fly to Vanuatu at great expense to the taxpayer, are sounding increasingly hollow, Labour MP for Mt Albert David Shearer says.
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The National Government have tried to mislead New Zealanders into believing they have put new funding into tackling the issue of youth unemployment, says Labour’s spokesperson for Employment and Youth Affairs, Jacinda Ardern.
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The latest Ministry of Social Development report, The Business of Ageing, firmly illustrates that the National Government is more focused on pressuring seniors to contribute to the economy than their overall health and wellbeing, says Labour’s spokesperson for Senior Citizens Steve Chadwick.
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WAITAKERE CITY — There are deep and growing concerns that the shifting of court work from Waitakere City into central Auckland will prove a barrier to justice for many people living in the west, says Rick Barker, Labour’s Courts spokesperson.
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