For those of you who aren’t going to be at the campaign launch today. Here is the link to where the live stream will be..
Press the image for the link. It will go live about 2:30pm. Now live.
It is going to be fun to see what happens this afternoon. But I’ll be there so if I have elbow room, I might write something.
14:28 Now live. Updated link.
14:33 David Cunliffe up and doing the speech.
14:41: On to the economy…
A few did live like rock stars: the top 10% now owns 90% of the wealth.
The wealthy got massive tax cuts that they didn’t need, while GST was raised on everyone – even though they said they wouldn’t.
The IRD tells us half the richest 100 Kiwis aren’t even paying the top tax rate.
14:43: On National’s economic policy..
A coherent and future-focused economic upgrade that is built on firmer foundations than milk prices and insurance cheques.
14:46: Minimum wage
We will raise the minimum wage by $2 an hour to $16.25 in our first year of government.
That will put another $4,000 a year into the pockets of hardworking Kiwis. And that means more money in circulation to rebuild local businesses and our economy from the ground up.
14:48: Education.
On the current path Education is being undermined.
Undermined by charter schools. They’re gone.
Undermined by league tables. And they’re gone.
We’ll make sure that every student, no matter where in the country they are from, or how wealthy (or otherwise) their parents are, gets the education they deserve.
That’s how we will get the society where everyone can have opportunities to get ahead.
14:53: Health
But that is being lost on the path the current government is on.
Despite what they will tell you, health funding hasn’t kept up with population growth and inflation.
There’s been a real cut of $200 million per year since 2008.
That’s why I’m proud to announce Labour will make doctors’ visits and prescriptions free for all New Zealanders aged 65 and over.
14:55:
Labour will also make GP visits, prescriptions, and dental care free for all pregnant women.
14:57:
Labour will also make GP visits and prescriptions free for children aged under 13, and increase funding for youth health centres.
14:59:
These policies, like all our policies, have been carefully costed as part of our fiscal plan.
15:01
We’ve seen where politics as usual gets us.
We’ve seen more children in poverty, more people locked out of home ownership, more families finding their incomes cannot keep up with the rising cost of living.
We know that we can do better. We know we can deliver change for a better New Zealand.
Labour policy: “Healthcare For All”
Claire Trevett: “Labour kicks off campaign with focus on health”
Vernon Small: “Labour announces big health boost” also with Tracy Watkins “Beehive Live”
TV1: “Labour launches campaign with free healthcare promise”
TV3: “Labour promises free GP visits”
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