Labour – “Ready to Win”

Written By: - Date published: 3:10 pm, August 10th, 2014 - 135 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, election 2014, labour - Tags:

E rau rangatira ma

E te whanau o te roopu reipa

Piki mai, kake mai haere mai

Te tangi a te pipiwharauroa

Te Po

Ka Awatea!

Whiti aowhiti aowhiti whiti Ao

Hello Labour

Hello New Zealand

Today is about you. It is about the launch of your future, your vision, your belief in creating a better New Zealand.

This election is going to be about a choice – probably one of the clearest that we have had as a country in a generation.

And it’s not just about two leaders, or even a contest between two parties.

This election is fundamentally about two very different pathways to two very different futures for New Zealand.

It’s a choice between prosperity for all, or only for a few.

It’s a choice between a new path to a higher value, more sustainable future, where every person matters. Or the current path of selling ourselves short and deepening the divides.

I believe – every one of us in the Labour Party believes – that it is people that matter most.

That, at the end of the day, we are all worth exactly the same.

And I believe that our people are a community, and are not commodities.

I believe that when the least fortunate of us does better, we all do better.

I believe that in this country nobody should be left out or left behind.

But I also believe that New Zealand has lost its way.

That after another 3 years, heading in the direction we’re heading, we just won’t know this country.

Our rivers will be dirty. What’s left of our assets will be sold. And so will vast tracts of our land. We will be tenants in our own country.

Is that the choice we want to make?

I don’t think so.

Labour refuses to stand by and let this generation of young New Zealanders become the first to do worse than their parents.

It wasn’t that long ago that we were considered to be the small, smart jewel of the South Pacific.

A creative, plucky country punching well above our weight. Where everyone could dare to dream the Kiwi dream, where if you worked hard and played by the rules – everyone, not just some, could get ahead.

We need to reclaim that vision, and make it our own again.

We can and we will.

We will do it for the mother of two teenage boys who works 60 hours a week cleaning and cannot sleep from worry that she doesn’t have enough time to keep them on the rails.

We’ll do it for the little kid in West Auckland admitted to Starship because of respiratory disease caused by the black mould growing in the bedroom in his cold, damp home.

We’ll do it for the professional couple in Christchurch who’ve been waiting for three years for the insurance cheque that means they can finally move on with their lives.

And for the grandmother who sits in her cold flat wrapped in blankets because she cannot pay both the power bill and the doctor.

We’ll do it the small manufacturer who is laying off workers – his own mates – for the third time as his business slowly, but surely, goes under, due to the high Kiwi dollar.

A Labour government will make New Zealand a fairer place, and a better place.

By strengthening the right of every New Zealander to have a warm, dry, comfortable home.

By strengthening, not neglecting, support for our schools, hospitals and universities.

By building, not deferring, a high-value, high knowledge, sustainable economy that will create good jobs.

It’s called a better New Zealand.

Decent jobs are at the core of any decent society. It’s what we in Labour have always stood for.

And with decent jobs come decent homes. Strong and stable communities.

Where Kiwis can bring up their families – where they can thrive.

Work.

Home.

Family.

It doesn’t get much more basic than that.

That’s what matters to New Zealanders. That’s what matters to us.

The Government I lead will put people first. It will make sure every single person matters. That together we all do well.

We want jobs for all New Zealanders, not just some. We want good schools for all New Zealand kids, not just some. We want decent healthcare for all New Zealanders, not just some.

Jobs

Nowhere is the choice we face clearer than in the economy, and the jobs it creates.

The world is recovering from what is probably the largest global financial crisis of our time.

You were told that everyone had to tighten their belts – and that everyone would get their fair share of the so-called “rock star” recovery.

In fact, that party was short and not everyone got invited, but the hangover will be experienced by the vast majority.

Dairy prices are plummeting.  Interest rates, mortgages and living costs are rising faster than incomes.

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.

Privatisation made inequality worse. They sold half of your energy companies even though you said no. Now only a few New Zealanders own those assets that we all paid for.

Now they want to sell our land from under us too: over a million hectares have been approved for overseas sale by the current government – sixteen times the size of Lake Taupo!

What’s going to be left if they get another three years to sell off and sell down our future?

Safe hands, clear thinking

New Zealand needs a clear plan for a prosperous, sustainable future where the benefits actually do flow to all New Zealanders.

Only Labour has that plan.

A coherent and future-focused economic upgrade that is built on firmer foundations than milk prices and insurance cheques.

We have a robust fiscal plan, that will run surpluses every year, that will pay off National’s record debt in our first two terms, and will get unemployment down to 4% by the end of our first term.

Labour is being open and transparent about what we are doing and how.

We’ve released our fiscal strategy early. It’s clearly costed and affordable – thank you David Parker.

Our policies are all banked and paid for.

In our alternative Budget, we showed that we had more policies costed and ready to roll out during the campaign – including the ones we’re announcing today.

And we’ve got some more important ones still to come.

You can afford to do a lot of good in government when you’re not spending all your cash on tax cuts for the very wealthy.

And when you back New Zealand and New Zealanders to create wealth.

And Labour will.

We will drive investment, we will drive innovation.

We will back industry on its journey from volume to value.

Universal KiwiSaver will build investment in our businesses.

Our monetary policy will make our exports more competitive.

Enhanced research and development will boost innovation.

We will back Kiwi businesses with pro-growth tax reform

We will back them by getting government to Buy Kiwi Made.

And by growing New Zealand’s wealth and opportunities.

And we’ll back every region and every sector in this country.

That’s what our $200 million regional development fund is for.

To boost infrastructure to create jobs.

And with Labour’s economic upgrade, all New Zealanders will benefit – not just the privileged few.

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.

It will raise the living standards of a quarter of a million New Zealanders and their families.

We’re also going to restore those work rights that this government has taken away. Rights that give Kiwis the ability to negotiate a decent deal.

You know what? The Government has made it very clear that one of the first things they want to do if they get back is take away your lunch break and your smoko!

Homes

Right now there’s a housing crisis in New Zealand. We have the lowest home ownership in 50 years, and rents are outstripping incomes.

For a whole generation of New Zealanders, the Kiwi dream of home ownership is slipping out of reach.

Talk to any young New Zealander these days, and they’ll tell you that no matter hard they work and how hard they save they’ll never own a home like their parents did.

Our plan means putting people to work building 100,000 affordable new homes with KiwiBuild.

That will give so many young families an opportunity they don’t currently have to get into a home of their own.

Education

On the current path Education is being undermined.

Undermined by charter schools.

Undermined by league tables.

Undermined by fiascos like Novopay, like unlawful school closures, like paying hundreds of millions of dollars to take good teachers out of their schools and turn them into middle management.

We know the best education is critical. That’s why we stand for a strong, affordable, world-class state education that is there for every Kiwi kid.

To achieve that we’ll ensure our kids have access to digital devices and 21st century learning spaces.

We’ll offer schools $100 per student so that parents – and even kids – are no longer pressured to pay so-called “voluntary” donations.

And we will make sure that class sizes are smaller and kids have more one on one learning by hiring 2,000 more teachers.

Our education policies are about excellence, opportunity and fairness.

We’ll make sure that every student, no matter where in the country they are from, or how wealthy their parents are, gets the education they deserve.

That’s how we will get the society where everyone can have opportunities to get ahead.

Health

But we all know kids don’t leave their lives at the school gate. They can’t learn if they’re hungry. They can’t learn if they don’t have a warm, dry home, or if they’re sick.

Our health – and the health of our families – is our greatest treasure.

But right now our health system is forced just to be the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, because too many people can’t afford to get the care they need.

We will take a different path. We want people to be healthy, and to make sure they can access the best care when they get sick.

It’s why we won’t just pay to treat diseases like rheumatic fever; we’ll actually deal with the overcrowding and the cold, damp housing that causes it in the first place.

That’s why we’ll make sure every rental is warm and dry with our Healthy Homes Guarantee.

That’s why we’ll bring in the Best Start payment. $60 a week so new parents have enough money to look after their babies’ needs. And we’ll tackle child poverty by increasing the minimum wage.

It’s a Kiwi value, a Labour value, that it is your need that should determine the healthcare you get, not the size of your wallet.

I know this first-hand. When I was growing up, my Dad got desperately ill. He had a series of heart attacks starting when he was 55.

Dad got great care from our public health system and that meant he could go on caring for me, for my family and others for another two decades.

That drove home to me how important strong public healthcare is to making sure we get well and stay well.

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.

Last year more than half a million New Zealanders needed to see a doctor, but couldn’t afford an appointment. That is a disgrace.

And a quarter of a million New Zealanders didn’t fill their prescriptions because they couldn’t afford it.

These are people who went to the doctor, who were found to be sick and needing medicine, but who didn’t get treatment because they didn’t have the money.

This is not the New Zealand we believe in. We’re a better country than that.

The Labour Government I lead will back quality, affordable, universal healthcare for all.

We’ll make sure the health budget keeps up with rising costs and our growing population with a billion dollar annual increase for health and education.

That means any new funding we announce is real money that will make a real difference in New Zealanders’ lives.

For example, last week I announced a $60 million boost for primary healthcare.

That will give 700,000 more New Zealanders free or heavily discounted GP visits.

Because getting to the doctor early means not waiting until things get desperate.

Building on that, today I’m going to lay out a step-change in our health system.

We are going to radically reduce the cost and improve the quality of healthcare for hundreds of thousands more New Zealanders.

And we’re going to focus most on those who are most in need, because that’s the right thing to do.

That’s why I’m proud to announce Labour will make doctors’ visits and prescriptions free for all New Zealanders aged 65 and over.

These are the people who’ve paid taxes all their lives, who face some of the greatest health needs and who are most likely to have fixed incomes.

It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do – getting early care can stop a lot of harmful and expensive problems down the line.

Free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for over 65s will make a real difference in the lives of nearly 700,000 older New Zealanders.

Labour will also make GP visits, prescriptions, and dental care free for all pregnant women.

International evidence, including Sir Peter Gluckman’s work, shows a direct link between the health of expectant mothers and that of their children.

Investing in good maternal health will pay dividends throughout the life of a child.

But our highest health needs are not just limited to the young and the old.

Labour will be there for New Zealanders who have long-term health conditions.

On the current government’s path, it’s just not fair that those with the highest health needs have to pay the highest bills. So we’re going to change that.

We’re going to bring a quarter of a million Kiwis into Care Plus and give them four free GP visits a year – and free prescriptions too.

Labour will also make GP visits and prescriptions free for children aged under 13, and increase funding for youth health centres.

The Labour government I lead will invest to make doctors’ visits and medicine free for the Kiwis that need it most – our children, our mothers to be and our senior citizens.

All up, Labour’s health package will give nearly 40% of New Zealanders free doctor visits and prescriptions.

These policies, like all our policies, have been carefully costed as part of our fiscal plan.

It’s budgeted, it’s paid for, it’s there in black and white.

So when our opponents try to claim that we can’t afford better healthcare for New Zealanders – and they’ll try – they won’t be being honest with the public.

And they know it.

Labour’s vision for New Zealand is to build the fairest, most decent society in the world.

The choice to come

What this election is fundamentally about is a choice. And it’s all of our choice.

New Zealanders, we can choose decent jobs for all.

We can choose great education for all.

We can choose kids growing up healthy, warm, and well fed.

We can choose an economy where people can pay their bills, and meet their mortgages and get ahead.

And of course we can choose decent healthcare for those who need it.

Together we can choose to build a society where there is fairness for all New Zealanders, not just the top few percent. Where everyone has the opportunity and aspiration to reach all our potential.

But, sadly, the path our country has been on won’t get us there.

It cannot. It will not.

The current path doesn’t live up to the truest Kiwi values of fairness, decency and respect. Those values that made our country great.

We need to apply those values to the new world of the 21st century so we can build a future where we all succeed together.

I know it’s easy to be cynical about elections. About the sideshows, about the relentless negativity.

And every election we hear voices telling us that there is no alternative and nothing will ever change.

That the problems are all someone else’s fault, or they’re all too hard to solve.

That we should just be happy with what we’ve got because fairness and decency is too much to ask for, and we shouldn’t rock the boat.

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.

In this election, we can change all of that together.

This election is going to be very close. The choice is here, the choice is now, the choice is real, and it’s ours to make, starting today.

If we want to change the path our country is on, we have to change the government first.

In this election we can chose to lift kids out of poverty, to put our people back to work, to create new businesses, to harness new technology. We can choose to build new homes, support our families and, together, build the fairest, most decent society in the world.

We can choose to do this. We can do this together.

If you want to build a better future for your family and your country.

If you want an end to politics as usual and to build a New Zealand that works for everyone.

If you won’t settle for the past and you want to reach for the future.

Then it’s time to vote for change.

It’s time to Vote Positive.

It’s time to Party Vote Labour.

Thank you.

135 comments on “Labour – “Ready to Win” ”

  1. Ant 1

    Seems like a great speech, great policy, and a great Auckland campaign launch.

    Now if the Warriors win my day will be complete…

  2. ropata 2

    Good stuff from the next PM.

    Lots of snappy soundbites, if not quite up there with JFK, MLK, and Churchill… we still have a mountain to climb, brothers and sisters!

  3. Clemgeopin 3

    A very uplifting speech. Gives me hope that the Labour led Cunliffe government will make a massive change to the future direction of NZ to help make NZ a much better, fairer, affordable and prosperous country for ALL the people in society, and not just for a small percentage of the wealthy at the top as is happening under this Key led National government.

    Bring back Labour, I say!

    • tricledrown 3.1

      fishy the sort of 3 way hand shake with jamie whyte unity.
      Koch a bully! you must be worried or you wouldn’t be posting!
      National have only to loose 10’000 votes and your Koch a hoop bully boy superior smugness will lead you to despair!
      Following the Brain Fade leaders lies without question without hard evidence is going to bring you unstuck!
      Show us the 16 billion where it is what it is and when is it going to be spent your leader has told you one big fat Lie.
      Like a good little Fishyanal you have fallen for it hook line and sinker!

  4. fisiani 4

    The longest suicide note ever. No vision no sense and no unity.

    • blue leopard 4.1

      saying it doesn’t make it so

      • fisiani 4.1.1

        The Cunliffe said it. You are right -It doesn’t make it so.At the height of Labour’s 2008 election bribery, spending increased by $7b in one year. So far they’ve already promised an extra $16billion!
        Now that is truly a suicide note.

        • Rodel 4.1.1.1

          Cunliffe -Fantastic-new -innovative!
          Fis- yaaawwwnnnn same old…

        • McFlock 4.1.1.2

          Cunliffe is a fuckload more reliable than you will ever be.

          and the last five budgets have been execution warrants for too many NZers. We need a change.

        • fisiani 4.1.1.3

          $16 Billion bribes so far from Labour with nearly six weeks to go. Add in the demands of the Taliban Greens Winston First and Internet Mana needed to cobble together an unholy alliance of losers and the bribe bill will be a whopping $65 Billion.

          • blue leopard 4.1.1.3.1

            Rather that than it all going to your small circle of friends, Fisiani. Share and share about, I say.

            • fisiani 4.1.1.3.1.1

              Share in the debt you mean. A Labour led Davy and the Gimps would cost each and every man woman and child $14,450. That’s the appalling price of failure to Party Vote National. I ask the sensible readers to realise how disastrous that would be and show that you love New Zealand by eschewing your prejudices and like the ABC’s secretly vote for National.

              • blue leopard

                Don’t you mean “That’s the appalling price of failure by voting National”?

                Yes, that must be it – surely you don’t mean…no…. it must be an error.

                If you love New Zealand – you are supposed to vote Green, Fis; that is their slogan, not National’s. National’s is Working for America if I remember correctly, hang on, I might have got that wrong – it might have been Working for the Devil….or…. Working against New Zealand – something like that anyway. .. Working to Sell NZ…they are very corporate, their hoardings, at any rate – so perhaps it was Working for the Corporations? Not a party I would vote for anyway – they are a bit too behind the times for me.

              • tricledrown

                Show us the money and where it is spent or shutup Fishyanil!
                $65billion thats $60’000 for every man women and child National have left the debt legacy so a few well heeled can live it up even more!

          • Saarbo 4.1.1.3.2

            “$65 billion” I think you have become confused with how much crown debt National has got us in.

            • Gosman 4.1.1.3.2.1

              The debt accumulated since 2008 was largely predicted by the Treasury in the 2008 PREFU and was as a result of the fiscal situation left by the last Labour led government.

              • lprent

                Exactly how much better could have Labour have left the finances?

                It couldn’t have had anything to do with a Global Financial Crisis affecting our trade and thereby reducing revenue.

                Or some irresponsible tax increases that National forced Labour to do, and which National then distorted and extended towards the already wealthy after the 2008 election?

                Rather than focusing the tax increases into consumption as Labour intended. National largely focused them on to a tiny people who could afford to pay personal debt and proceeded to do so. Effectively in economic terms they wasted it.

                As I remember it, Cullen said after the election that his tax cuts from the start of the year were unsustainable in terms of government revenue and costs by the PREFU. But that was the different between budget time and election time. It is a pity that National didn’t stop their planned tax increases until 2 years later when they realised they were ineffectual.

                You really are a dumb hypocrite….

                • Tracey

                  and that is without starting in on the smoke and mirrors surplus

                • Gosman

                  I find it hilarious you think National forced Labour into doing anything let alone Tax cuts (which I presume you eroneously called increases). Regardless the biggest impact on the fiscal deteriation was likely the 7 Billion worth of additional spending that Labour put in place in the 2008 budget. This was unsustainable at the time and would have been so even without the impacts of the GFC.

                  • tricledrown

                    what Bullshit again Gosman so the $ 2.5 billion a year in tax cuts to the already well off were nuetral were they goose no bill english had to raise GST and still has’t balanced the budget = no contributions to the Cullen fund at 2and1/2 billion a year wasted by National on buying upper middle class votes.
                    Without the huge surpluses from both the Cullen Fund and the ACC fund which National are taxing us by stealth . National would be billions down the gurgler!
                    So Why has National got a massive hole in its budget after saying tax cuts for the well off will have a tricledown effect (No trickling yet just pissing on peasants from high up). with record milk prices still $700 million down except for ACC grab it would be far worse!

                    • Gosman

                      The actual hole would have been bigger if the policies put in place by Labour were not altered in anyway. That is not to suggest Labour wouldn’t have made changes however they seemed very reluctant to reduce any spending over this period.

          • tricledrown 4.1.1.3.3

            Fishy Business that $16 billion dollar surplus is arrived at by taking the $14 billion of Nationals promised extra spending and adding the $2 billion extra labour is spending over 4 years to make the figure look bigger than it is !
            pure spin and propaganda that is only $500 million more a year than national are spending!
            Tax on those like you and me who are going to pay for it you don,t want to pay more tax even though we have had ACC increases and GST increases by National the Party of read my lips no tax increases J ohn Brain Fade Key!

            • Bob 4.1.1.3.3.1

              You mean the $14 Billion that is accrued through vehicle licensing, fuel and road user levies allocated to be spent on the roading that the tax was collected from?
              If they are stealing all of that funding as you state, who is going to be paying for the maintenance of the roads we have?
              Or are you just buying the “pure spin and propaganda” that it is “only $500 million more a year than national are spending” and our existing roading will magically remain safe and well maintained all by itself?

        • tricledrown 4.1.1.4

          Fishy make it up as you go along.

        • Clemgeopin 4.1.1.5

          fisiani, since you are constantly putting down Labour’s policies and throwing around numbers, can you honestly tell me how much the tax cuts bribe alone, that primarily benefited the wealthy, have cost SO FAR for the LAST six years and how much they will cost for the NEXT six years if National were to regain power? Don’t bother about the BS about the GST increase as that primarily punished the poor the most. I am talking here about the National’s TAX CUT BRIBE benefiting primarily the better off in society.

        • Tom Gould 4.1.1.6

          Does that $16b include the $70b Key and Joyce have borrowed and spent since 2008?

        • Local Kiwi. 4.1.1.7

          Fisiani,
          A Labour lead Government will be returned this year now the word is out that nat’s have borrowed far more than they are admitting.
          You are a troll, why not tell the truth.

          Did you not know that since the Nat’s have been in Government they have borrowed from overseas banks an incredible amount of money to pop up things like Roads of National Importance and many other pet projects.

          This extravagance has now increased our Crown debt ratio from a low 6% ratio related to GDP up to a staggering 26% ratio to GDP. (treasury figures)

          But you bang on about Labour not being “fiscally responsible!!!

          Tell the whole story before you all leave.

    • millsy 4.2

      How can a promise to extend access to health care be a ‘suicide note’?

      Unless you like the USA system…

      • blue leopard 4.2.1

        It is all about stating black is white, Millsy – I guess you know that though…

        • ropata 4.2.1.1

          fisi and his paid-for party of the privileged
          pretending that business as usual is good enough
          doing nothing, helping nobody but themselves

    • Weepus beard 4.3

      Unity, community, and families is what Labour and the wider left is all about. The current government has split communities, encouraged childcare over parenting, uprooted the unemployed and unemployable, and created an increasingly part time and insecure workforce. There’s plenty of vision for change. Change for the betterment of all New Zealanders.

    • Clemgeopin 4.4

      Don’t cry my baby. Go to Hash-Key. He loves you lots darling!

    • dave 4.5

      I was there ,very up lifting very very positive really good policy announcements ,as for Steven Joyce nz cant afford it everyone of labours policy’s has been fully costed and budgeted for by David Parker

      • Rodel 4.5.1

        dave – forget steven joyce- all he can do is sneer, and sneer,again. He was born that way but thinks it’s born to rule.

    • appleboy 4.6

      Isn’t it sad piseearnie only has here to amuse himself – living alone too long does that.

      He turns up here day after day making deluded comments that only right wing wankers believe – and where does he come? He comes here like a lone dog wanting a meal.

  5. and benificiaries will have to stick to their thin gruel…

    ..once again/still..they were/are the unmentionables..

    • ropata 5.1

      This delusion and paranoia was brought to you by the letters T, H, and C

      • phillip ure 5.1.1

        i just read thru the speech..have you..?

        ..if so show me where i missed it..

        ..and if incorrect i will apologise..

        • ropata 5.1.1.1

          Read and watched.
          The word “beneficiary” didn’t come up but neither did “accountants” or “farmers”.
          Guess you missed the bits about “fairness and decency”, “universal healthcare” healthier homes, and more state housing.

          What about the story about the kid with respiratory problems and black mould in his bedroom? Poverty is a strong theme and a huge motivator for Labour supporters.

          So put on your dunce hat and go stand in the naughty corner.

          • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1.1

            Just recognising that there’s not much benefit of the doubt remaining in reserve re: Labour and unsustainably low benefit levels.

            • weka 5.1.1.1.1.1

              unsustainably low benefit levels, punitive regime, policy and legislation within WINZ. All those need to change in addition to the good things Labour intends to do about health care, housing etc.

              • Colonial Viper

                +1

                we need every person in this country feeling supported, in good morale, and able to contribute what they can to their communities and families. Not dispirited, deconditioned, feeling abandoned and without a place or a role in wider society.

          • phillip ure 5.1.1.1.2

            oh..y’know ropata..!

            ..when the ‘b’-word is never ever mentioned by labour..

            ..like..’never’..

            ..then you don’t really have to wonder..

            ..they really are ‘the unmentionables’..

            ..both philosophically..and in real terms..

          • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1.3

            Certainly missed the bit about more state housing. Looks again. Nope, still not there. There was the bit about affordable housing for the middle classes though.

          • karol 5.1.1.1.4

            I did see the other stuff, but I didn’t see anything about “more state housing”. This is something I have been looking for from parties. Mana and The Greens have policies to build more state houses.

            It is a very good left wing speech from Cunliffe, with some very good and strong policies.

            However, I’m still waiting for any polcieis specifically on state housing and social security. Maybe they will add polciies on these things at a later date. however, the lack so far, means I really feel the parties that support Labour in government, need to be there to hold Labour to account on such things.

            So this statement from Cunliffe:

            New Zealand needs a clear plan for a prosperous, sustainable future where the benefits actually do flow to all New Zealanders.

            Only Labour has that plan.

            I disagree with the “only” in the last sentence.

            I do think Cunliffe has the makings of an excellent PM. He does do a great speech.

            • ropata 5.1.1.1.4.1

              kiwi build, 100 000 houses, all going to the highest bidder? nary a state house on the horizon? methinks ’tis unlikely.

              still a far preferable policy to jk’s profusion of holiday motorways that save aucklanders 5 minutes on a long weekend

            • Oh Busby 5.1.1.1.4.2

              There’s no spending left Karol – only a couple of hundred million in the self-imposed budget straightjacket remain.

              This was Labour’s big roll of the dice.

              And free health-care for the over 65s is an incredible waste of cash. Poorly targetted, largely unnecessary, and incredibly expensive.

              It’s a naked vote grab for the vote-rich elderly demographic, subsidised by the working poor. Workers who will get their superannuation taken away from them until 67.

              Labour had a real mandate for bold change, and this is what they served up. I’m disgusted and appalled.

              This is shameful.

              How the hell can any Labour activist try and sell this to a working age person?

              • Clemgeopin

                All working age people do get old some day.
                What do you think Labour should do? Give free medical care for all working age people too?

      • Tom Jackson 5.1.2

        Ropata got you there hippy dope-fiend. 😉

      • The Al1en 5.1.3

        “This delusion and paranoia was brought to you by the letters T, H, and C”

        Laugh out loud moment 🙂

        • Ben Adam 5.1.3.1

          May be free dope for dopes will fix everything.

          • weka 5.1.3.1.1

            Funny. Let’s keep Bennett’s drug testing for benes only then shall we?

            • The Al1en 5.1.3.1.1.1

              “Funny. Let’s keep Bennett’s drug testing for benes only then shall we?”

              Who else should msd drug test?

              • ropata

                Students, backpackers, protestors, and all users of public transport

                IMP supporters, and anyone walking around in bare feet should be invasively body-searched

                got to sort out the riff raff…

              • weka

                “Who else should msd drug test?”

                Why should they be testing anyone?

                • The Al1en

                  Accountability, like drug testing in the work place.

                  I’ve no problem with being tested for drugs on a benefit because I spend mine on paying the bills and eating etc… What the safety net is designed for.
                  Only those people that spend their benefit money on drugs should have concerns. If they waste it on pot, they don’t need as much as their getting. If it’s bad lifestyle decisions, then they need budgeting controls imposed upon them.

                  Of course you can argue, which you probably will, that dolies should be able to spend their money on drugs if they like, but good luck convincing 99% of the population that’s a good idea.

                  It’s those selfish shits that ruin the system for the genuinely needy, and play no small part in fueling bene bashing.

                  • McFlock

                    what bites my balls is that even if some drugs didn’t literally grow in the garden for free, some folks like yourself think that being on the dole means that a person has no right to any recreational pleasure, ever.

                    • weka

                      why do drugs when you can be puritanical (about other people)?

                    • McFlock

                      It’s not restricted to drugs – I’ve heard people criticise beneficiaries for movies, any food that isn’t the most basic, keeping rather than selling books (let alone buying books), even having a pet (even if they had the pet before needing income support).

                      The slightest bit of comfort for a beneficiary makes some people outraged. I’ve never really understood it.

                    • weka

                      Quite. Al1en’s argument seemed puritanical. Other people seem like they just need someone to bash, either because they’re having a hard time or because they’re just mean. Then there is the neighbour of the painter on the roof.

                    • The Al1en

                      “some folks like yourself think that being on the dole means that a person has no right to any recreational pleasure, ever.”

                      With hand on heart I can honestly say that’s not what I’ve stated at all, anywhere. Spending money on drugs isn’t part of the welfare agreement, literal or otherwise. If it were there’d be a box to tix on the special needs form.

                    • The Al1en

                      “Quite. Al1en’s argument seemed puritanical. Other people seem like they just need someone to bash, either because they’re having a hard time or because they’re just mean. Then there is the neighbour of the painter on the roof.”

                      Piss off weka, there’s a love. There’s nothing puritanical about calling out selfish shits. The struggles some endure while on benefits, who we rightfully rally behind, are ridiculed by the actions of some benes who somehow manage to fund drug habits.

                    • weka

                      “Spending money on drugs isn’t part of the welfare agreement, literal or otherwise.”

                      What agreement are you talking about? There is no agreement that says that benes have to spend their benefit on anything in particular unless they are asking for extra assistance, and even then extra assistance is dependent on context. The base benefit is theirs to do what they want with. Your view is very puritanical because they assume that all benes are basically the same, and that someone on high has said that while they are a bene they are only allowed x, y, z in their lives, and those things just happen to exclude things that are recreational. Shit, not even the current lot at WINZ agree with that.

                    • McFlock

                      With hand on heart I can honestly say that’s not what I’ve stated at all, anywhere. Spending money on drugs isn’t part of the welfare agreement, literal or otherwise. If it were there’d be a box to tix on the special needs form.

                      So beneficiaries should have absolutely no discretionary income whatsoever?

                      Piss off.

                    • The Al1en

                      “So beneficiaries should have absolutely no discretionary income whatsoever?”

                      I’ve not said that at all, indeed I’ve stated a position that beneficiaries should have extra discretionary income to make them less alienated from society. Should they be allowed to spend state handouts on fags, booze and dope, in my opinion, no they shouldn’t, but feel free to disagree, it is your right.

                      “Piss off”

                      As stated, your interpretation of my clear comment is false, so suck your wee back up through a straw and have a pint on me. 🙂

                    • McFlock

                      I’ve stated a position that beneficiaries should have extra discretionary income to make them less alienated from society. Should they be allowed to spend state handouts on fags, booze and dope, in my opinion, no they shouldn’t

                      so you hold thet they should have some discretionary income, but it’s not up to them how they spend it.

                      🙄

                    • The Al1en

                      I’m arguing they should be allowed extra cash for treats and luxuries taken for granted by everyone else… Except for drink, drugs and cigarettes as one is illegal, one is a huge cause of social problems and domestic violence in NZ, and one kills you, even if it is a slow suicide.

                      You’re arguing for beneficiaries to be able to drink, smoke and do drugs because it’s unfair that right be denied them. Lulz

                    • McFlock

                      Except for drink, drugs and cigarettes as one is illegal, one is a huge cause of social problems and domestic violence in NZ, and one kills you, even if it is a slow suicide.

                      You’re arguing for beneficiaries to be able to drink, smoke and do drugs because it’s unfair that right be denied them. Lulz

                      So basically people should get a certain level of discretionary pocket money that they’re only allowed to spend on recreation that you approve of.
                      I suppose prostitutes are out, too. What about fetish cosplay? What about cosplay at comic book conventions?

                      Why should beneficiaries be restrained by your personal prudishness?

                    • weka

                      refined sugar kills people too, is that off the acceptable list for benes?

                      how about gambling? Casual sex? Video games? Violent movies? Reality TV? Seriously, why pick on drugs, alcohol and ciggies? (which many people enjoy without the serious problems).

                      “You’re arguing for beneficiaries to be able to drink, smoke and do drugs because it’s unfair that right be denied them. Lulz”

                      Unfair? I was thinking it’s discrimination. Someone isn’t allowed to have a beer, because they’re on sickness benefit, but their flatmate is, because they’re a student. Sorry mate, that’s just weird.

                      Besides which, drugs, alcohol and cigs can all be consumed without significant negatives. Why deny the good aspects to only benes?

                    • The Al1en

                      Did you enjoy your pint?

                    • McFlock

                      Did you enjoy your pint?

                      was that your way of saying you didn’t understand a particular comment?

                    • vto

                      If beneficiaries aren’t allowed booze drugs and parties then nobody should be allowed them.

                      What is the basis for your discrimination? Sounds like a pile of shit to me mr al1en

                    • weka

                      lolz vto. Benes should just stay at home then and not go out. Can’t go to the pub or a party, because not smoking, drinking or getting stoned will make all the real people uncomfortable.

                    • The Al1en

                      Say it loud and long enough and someone will believe you 🙂

                    • TheContrarian

                      “If beneficiaries aren’t allowed booze drugs and parties then nobody should be allowed them.”

                      Technically no-one is allowed to use illegal drugs. Whether on a benefit or not.
                      Just sayin…

                    • weka

                      I think we are all aware of that technicality. Not sure how relevant it is to the conversation, apart from as you point out it’s illegal for all people not just one particular class of people. Illegal drugs that is, not legal ones.

                  • weka

                    According to your argument and worldview, benies that grow their own should be exempt from drug testing. Feel free to make the suggestion to the MSD.

                    I hadn’t picked you for such a moraliser Al1en. You are in good company then with Bennett. Her rationale is that it’s to prevent benes from failing job applications, but I believe there is a fair amount of moralistic shit in her views too.

                    Nothing wrong with smoking cannabis recreationally. And if NZ wants to force people to live in poverty, which it seems to, then it can hardly expect them not to self-medicate.

                    Anyhoo, all that aside, my point was about not singling out benes. If you want to force people to not take drugs so that it doesn’t cost the state, you should cast a wider net. Forcing benes is class discrimination.

                    • The Al1en

                      “benies that grow their own” – Are engaging in a criminal act.

                      Argument and world view – Typical weka twisting. 🙄 just like the monster jibe is typical divert and attack.

                      “Nothing wrong with smoking cannabis recreationally”

                      Apart from being illegal, technically I’d agree with you, but only if you’re paying for it with money that hasn’t been given by the state for the sole purpose of keeping you accommodated and fed. If you can afford pot, you’re getting too much (which we know for most that’s not the case), or you’re spending unwisely in which you case you need help budgeting.

                      Seriously, your argument won’t fly with 99% of the populace because it’s a shit, selfish one which craps all over the good intentions of the welfare state and most of the people who have to rely on it.

                      Sure, if you want to spend your dole money on drugs, go ahead and self medicate, but if you get caught, then face the music like a man and don’t come up with bullshit anti beneficiary arguments and rhetoric to hide your shame.
                      I call right on lefty bull for the sake of it shit.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      You’ve got to watch moralising over small sums of benefit money. It leads to typical Tory style demands to be able to control every aspect of peasants lives, while they themselves splash out on all kinds of shit like royalty.

                      You get the benefit? Right, no drinking for you. No smoking. No lotto tickets. No buying meals out. Unnutritional soft drinks and snacks? Banned. Maybe you can spend a bit of benefit money on fish and chips – once a month.

                      At the root of it all is limiting the agency and controlling beneficiary individuality in society.

                      Etc

                    • The Al1en

                      “You get the benefit? Right, no drinking for you. No smoking. No lotto tickets. No buying meals out.”

                      For a few more days, and yes it’s like you describe and not very nice at all.

                      “Unnutritional soft drinks and snacks? Banned.”

                      Sadly, nutritional food isn’t cheap and low quality becomes the mainstay of a dole diet. Okay if you have a garden and skills to supplement, but not everybody does.

                      “Maybe you can spend a bit of benefit money on fish and chips – once a month.”

                      I’m all for increasing the benefit levels and targeting some of the extra towards good food. No reason why we shouldn’t have good food in our bellies just because we aren’t in work or our kids suffer as a result.
                      But just like when, if you’re lucky enough or jump through hoops to get an emergency food grant, alcohol and ciggies should remain on the banned list. Providing for them doesn’t reduce anyone’s poverty.
                      I’d like to see some ‘happy money’ made available to beneficiaries so they can remain part of society and not find themselves detached and isolated, as can easily happen, fish and chips and cinemas yes, but drugs. which remain illegal for in the workplace, no way. That’s just lefties gone mental.

                      “You’ve got to watch moralising”

                      Appreciate the advice, but it’s not really moralising, more common sense, especially politically, by those who make political comment.
                      I’m happy for those who disagree to openly campaign for drugs for dolies and see how they get on.

                    • weka

                      “but only if you’re paying for it with money that hasn’t been given by the state for the sole purpose of keeping you accommodated and fed.”

                      citation needed that the benefits are paid for the sole purpose of keeping one accommodated and fed. Unless of course it’s you that believes that, in which case please clarify.

                      ““benies that grow their own” – Are engaging in a criminal act.

                      Argument and world view – Typical weka twisting. 🙄 just like the monster jibe is typical divert and attack.”

                      Why not go back and reply to my actual point? You argued that benes taking drugs was wrong because they were spending their benefit on it, therefore it was right that benes should be drug tested. You didn’t say taking drugs was wrong full stop. I said, ok, benes who get free drugs should be exempt by your reasoning, because you believe that the problem with taking drugs is the use of money. If that’s not true, why not come out and say what you really mean?

                    • The Al1en

                      “citation needed that the benefits are paid for the sole purpose of keeping one accommodated and fed”

                      You’re as bad as bad at arguing, all twisty turny and pedantic to the nth degree. 🙄
                      Tell me, and cite all you like if that’s the name of the game, wtf is the purpose of dole, the welfare safety net, if not to house and feed those on it? I’ll wager it’ll say nothing about state funded dope smoking.

                      “Why not go back and reply to my actual point?”

                      Despite whether you think it unfair that benes should face some accountability and uphold their end of the deal, I say the same – Who else should msd drug test?

                    • McFlock

                      wtf is the purpose of dole, the welfare safety net, if not to house and feed those on it? I’ll wager it’ll say nothing about state funded dope smoking.

                      Social Security Act 1964:

                      Purpose

                      The purpose of this Act is—

                      (a) to enable the provision of financial and other support as appropriate—

                      (i) to help people to support themselves and their dependants while not in paid employment; and

                      (ii) to help people to find or retain paid employment; and

                      (iii) to help people for whom work may not currently be appropriate because of sickness, injury, disability, or caring responsibilities, to support themselves and their dependants:

                      (b) to enable in certain circumstances the provision of financial support to people to help alleviate hardship:

                      (c) to ensure that the financial support referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) is provided to people taking into account—

                      (i) that where appropriate they should use the resources available to them before seeking financial support under this Act; and

                      (ii) any financial support that they are eligible for or already receive, otherwise than under this Act, from publicly funded sources:

                      (ca) to provide services to encourage and help young persons to move to education, training, and employment rather than to receiving financial support under this Act:

                      (d) to impose, on the following specified people or young persons, the following specified requirements or obligations:

                      (i) on people seeking or receiving financial support under this Act, administrative and, where appropriate, work-related requirements; and

                      (ii) on young persons who are seeking or receiving financial support under this Act, educational, budget management, and (where appropriate) parenting requirements; and

                      (iii) on people receiving certain financial support under this Act, social obligations relating to the education and primary health care of their dependent children.

                      Section 1A: inserted, on 24 September 2007, by section 23 of the Social Security Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 20).

                      Section 1A(ca): inserted, on 20 August 2012, by section 4(1) of the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 50).

                      Section 1A(d): replaced, on 15 July 2013, by section 5 of the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 13).

                      1B Principles

                      Every person exercising or performing a function, duty or power under this Act must have regard to the following general principles:

                      (a) work in paid employment offers the best opportunity for people to achieve social and economic well-being:

                      (b) the priority for people of working age should be to find and retain work:

                      (c) people for whom work may not currently be an appropriate outcome should be assisted to prepare for work in the future and develop employment-focused skills:

                      (d) people for whom work is not appropriate should be supported in accordance with this Act.

                      Nothing in there about making people live like Spartans, either

                    • The Al1en

                      Nothing from me that says they should live like ‘spartans’, but worth noting there’s nothing there advocating drugs for dole.
                      Should you want to change that, contact mana, it’d be your best hope.

                    • weka

                      Here’s what you said:

                      “Apart from being illegal, technically I’d agree with you, but only if you’re paying for it with money that hasn’t been given by the state for the sole purpose of keeping you accommodated and fed.”

                      Maybe it’s miscommunication but you seem to be saying that people on the dole shouldn’t spend their money on things that bring them relief, fun, joy. The benefit is for far more than just keeping people accommodated and fed. Look at your statement and the use of the word ‘sole’. It’s there, and in your other comments are similar statements, and they make me think you believe that benes shouldn’t be spending money on other things than survival.

                      Further, you have this idea that there is some inherent contract that benes have to live up to. Some benefits do have requirements on them (eg being work ready), but there is no contract in the way you have been implying apart from in the minds of people like you. Who I might add are aligned pretty closely with Paula Bennett’s discriminatory and demeaning reforms. Despite Bennett’s best efforts, there is no contract between a beneficiary and the state that says what they are allowed and not allowed to spend their base benefit on.

                      You said: “Spending money on drugs isn’t part of the welfare agreement, literal or otherwise.”

                      I’ve asked you to supply some evidence of this agreement, and instead you’ve just come back with ad hominems. The agreement is something you obviously want, but it’s not actually a real thing. The only thing at issue is the legality of cannabis, and that’s another kete of ika altogether.

                      You seem incapable of distinguishing between someone who has a smoke on the weekend socially and someone who is out of it all the time using their benefit on weed instead of things like housing and food. Or maybe you simply just disapprove of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, all things commonly used by many people to make their lives more pleasant or manageable.

                      btw, calling a benefit a ‘state handout’ also strongly suggests that you really think that benes are second class citizens, rather than the social security system in NZ being about making sure that everyone is ok irrespective of what we might thing about them.

                      All the above, like I said, puritanical.

                    • The Al1en

                      “you seem to be saying that people on the dole shouldn’t spend their money on things that bring them relief, fun, joy.”

                      Nope, just drink, drugs and fags.

                      “in your other comments are similar statements, and they make me think you believe that benes shouldn’t be spending money on other things than survival.”

                      You misrepresent me, have not read (or ignored) the bits about discretionary spending, so you have it wrong.

                      “calling a benefit a ‘state handout’ also strongly suggests that you really think that benes are second class citizens,”

                      That’ll be you misrepresenting me and allotting me a monster mask, probably because you’re on one for effect like you do from time to time.
                      How dare he say a bad word about the shitty pot smoker dolies, he must think all dolies are the same. Crud logic, my dear. Fu*k, I thought you were one of the smart ones. Seems you’re just as emotive, self serving and laughable as some of the other munters.

                      “like I said, puritanical.”

                      Like I thought, right on for the sake of it lefty.
                      Pulp’s common people always reminds me of you. 😉

                    • weka

                      “Nope, just drink, drugs and fags.”

                      Genuinely curious, why those three?

                      “calling a benefit a ‘state handout’ also strongly suggests that you really think that benes are second class citizens,”

                      “That’ll be you misrepresenting me and allotting me a monster mask, probably because you’re on one for effect like you do from time to time.
                      How dare he say a bad word about the shitty pot smoker dolies, he must think all dolies are the same.”

                      Actually no. My objection to your statements about dope smoking is that you keep talking about dope smoking benes as if they are all the same. It’s pretty simple, if you’re not talking about all dope smoking benes, just qualify your statements a bit 🙂

                      Unless you really do think that all benes who smoke dope have something wrong with them? I’m still confused as to why. Originally it was because they were mispending state money, but even the ones who grow their own have something wrong with them, so it’s still not very clear.

                      Other than that, it’s not your criticism of dope smoking that made me raise my eyebrows at ‘state handout’, it was the many things you have said in this conversation, including the bits about this contract you think benes have, and how the sole point of the benefit is food and shelter.

                    • The Al1en

                      “one is illegal, one is a huge cause of social problems and domestic violence in NZ, and one kills you, even if it is a slow suicide.”

                      If you want to make the case for beneficiaries to be paid to drink, smoke and do drugs go ahead – The floor is yours.

                    • weka

                      “paid to”? You still seem to have this idea that the money paid to benes isn’t really theirs and comes with conditions attached. That’s straight out of Paula Bennett’s philosophy.

              • tricledrown

                For all the huge cost associated with drug testing only handful have tested positive less than 1% tested positive i bet if we tested National MP’S the results would be much Higher sarc!
                The Myth that benes are on meth is just a Myth which the right perpetuate for bene bashing!

          • phillip ure 5.1.3.1.2

            @ that ben..

            it wouldn’t hurt..

      • McFlock 5.1.4

        lol

        that, and the irony of a vegan talking about others being fed a thin gruel.

        • phillip ure 5.1.4.1

          no ‘thin gruel’ here..

          ..big jammed vegan-burgers…(avo/hummus..!..drool..!..)

          ..(the delights of fast-food..but healthy..!!..)

    • blue leopard 5.2

      I could have sworn I heard the message ‘all New Zealanders need to be treated fairly’ in that speech.

      I would be truly surprised if this wasn’t meant as a positive message for those surviving on thin gruel.

      It is certainly how I received it.

      It is a far cry from ‘bene on the roof’ type comments and I personally really appreciate the shift in focus from bene bashing to fixing the reasons so many are on welfare in the first place.

      I acknowledge, though, there has yet to be anything said to directly address the problems occurring for those currently on welfare (apart from those with children).

      • weka 5.2.1

        Ok, so still some benefit of the doubt.

        “The Government I lead will put people first. It will make sure every single person matters. That together we all do well.”

        Am tempted to say we’ve heard it all before, but instead how about we agree to hold him to account for that, eh?

        • blue leopard 5.2.1.1

          Yes, good idea and that may be done by this leopard by voting for a party that is likely to pressure them in such a way.

          Have to wait and see what further policies are revealed before I make up my mind on that course of action.

          I like a lot of the policies that Labour are rolling out. I like the way they have thought of a wider plan and I do support Cunliffe because of the way he was voted in by so many people in the Labour membership and Unions – however I guess policies are going to end up deciding the day for me.

          • Colonial Viper 5.2.1.1.1

            Placing pressure on the Labour caucus and leadership to ‘do the right thing’ is definitely a good plan. And with strong support and pressure, it actually gives them political ammo to go left.

    • and benificiaries will have to stick to their thin gruel…

      Well, until we’ve managed to strip out the lazy shites who should be working for a living, yes. As long as people get to conflate ‘beneficiary’ with ‘lazy shite’ and have a reasonable number of examples to lend that stereotype a superficial credibility, political parties are going to have be very careful about promising stuff to beneficiaries.

      • weka 5.3.1

        Chicken and egg. Unless you improve the lot of the people cycling through welfare or there permanently, there will always be accusations of bludger.

  6. Populuxe1 6

    I would have settled with putting dentistry on the public health – something we still don’t have but desperately need.

    • Agreed, Populuxe1.

      I remember one Saturday (or Sunday) a U.S. medical doctor who had written a book called ‘A short Guide to a Long Life’ being interviewed on RNZ National.

      He mentioned a survey of elderly people which had asked them what they would have done differently in terms of their health. Two things easily topped the list: Looked after their feet; Looked after their teeth.

      Of course, to look after both you actually have to live far healthier lives – but you also need good health services support.

      • Populuxe1 6.1.1

        There is considerable evidence to suggest a link between poor oral health and a number of serious medical conditions
        http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/Topics/HeartDisease/

        • Ad 6.1.1.1

          Easy to see the influence of Dr Elizabeth Craig (Clutha Southland candidate) and Dr David Craig in all this hard core public health spending policy. They have been tracking precisely this kind of corollary for nearly a decade now for all our District Health Boards. I could be wrong of course, but this was no lolly scramble. It was policy targeted at not merely alleviating but preventing suffering.

          It’s a pretty pathetic indictment that National’s health system are running a scare campaign on Rheumatic Fever with a boy who’s had his heart cut open showing his scar. Grisl, morally screwed and irresponsible scaremongering. Labour is reminding us that media campaigns about preventable diseases emerging from poverty and overcrowding like Rheumatic Fever are evidence of policy failure on behalf of the entire health system and the entire housing system, not one parent’s fault about missing a cough.

          • Populuxe1 6.1.1.1.1

            Nonetheless free dental care for pregnant women is insufficent and a bit beside th epoint because yu are hardly likely to have major dentalwork with anesthetics undertaken while you are pregnant.
            Even merely affordable dental care for all New Zealanders would greatly benefit health and productivity across the board. It’s a no brainer.

          • tricledrown 6.1.1.1.2

            Even though Doctors visits for the under 6 age group are free it has made no difference to the number of children with bad health because of transport and prescription charges children are not getting the help they need to be in good health.

    • That was one of the things I liked about living in Germany – dental was covered by the compulsory medical insurance, so I got as much done as I could before moving back here. Funnily enough, the dentist was an Aussie who’d married a German – took one look in my mouth and said “Jesus, another one with Kiwi dental nurse teeth” ie a mouthful of amalgam. They weren’t shy about using us for practice back in the 60s.

  7. Chooky 7

    ‘In case you missed it – Labour are rolling out well thought out policy’

    By Martyn Bradbury / August 8, 2014

    …. some news oxygen for Labour’s impressive roll out of policy this week…

    Disarmament

    • Labour is committed to a world free of nuclear weapons
    • Labour has a proud record in opposing nuclear weapons: we sent frigates to oppose testing at Mururoa and passed the Nuclear-free law
    • Labour will continue to work to rid the world of nuclear weapons
    • We will reinstate the Cabinet position of Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control

    Youth Employment policy

    • We are committing $183 million to a comprehensive Youth Employment Package designed to reach 24,000 young New Zealanders
    • We’ll get young New Zealanders off the unemployment benefit and into apprenticeships by paying the equivalent of the dole to employers willing to offer a permanent full time job
    • The Youth Employment Package is part of Labour’s comprehensive economic plan to create jobs, lift incomes and pay down National’s record debt,

    Small Business policy

    • Right now, too many small businesses are struggling and need a government more responsive to their needs,
    • Small business are missing out on government procurement opportunities ~ Labour will increase their share going to small businesses by $300 million a year,
    • We will also make tax compliance easier and tackle unnecessary red tape,
    • This is part of Labour’s comprehensive economic plan to lift incomes, pay down National’s record debt and create jobs.

    State Services

    • Conduct a Royal Commission into the State Sector with a view to revisiting the principles underlying an effective state sector.
    • Ensure that the public service core capacity is rebuilt to enable it to do the quality job it needs to do.
    • Ensure that all core public servants are paid a Living Wage.
    • Ensure that all organisations bidding for government service contracts are good employers paying fair wages and respecting the right of their employees to join a union and bargain collectively.
    • Implement a plan to increase government procurement from New Zealand manufacturers by $200 million a year and from SMEs by $300 million a year.

    Health

    • Labour will give more New Zealanders access to affordable doctor visits and invest more in primary healthcare,
    • The current government has let the health budget fall in real terms; half a million Kiwis couldn’t afford to go to the doctor when they needed to last year,
    • Labour will invest $60 million a year to give 2 million Kiwis access to low cost doctor visits and support public health NGOs,
    • Labour is committed to affordable, accessible healthcare for all New Zealanders.

    Water

    • Labour will clean up New Zealand’s rivers and lakes inside a generation,
    • We will set standards for all rivers and lakes to be swimmable, fishable and suitable for food gathering,
    • We will do this by improving regulatory safeguards and putting in place a resource rental on large water takes for irrigation, set at a fair and affordable price,
    • It’s not a choice – with Labour’s approach New Zealand can have both a clean environment and a strong, vibrant economy.

    Arts, Culture and Heritage

    • Focus on building careers in the arts sector through a Creative Industries Apprenticeship Scheme, and by reinstating PACE,
    • Reinstate the Artists in Schools Programme and establish a network of Children’s Art House,
    • Continue to support the New Zealand film industry including reviewing incentives to ensure benefits to the domestic industry are maximised.

    ACC

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/08/10/votepositive-labour-election-launch-2014-someone-tell-hooton-not-to-order-the-champagne-yet/

  8. ‘In case you missed it – Labour are rolling out well thought out policy’

    Yeah, but National are rolling out… er… well, there’s… um… Go #TeamKey!

  9. DS 9

    Labour refuses to stand by and let this generation of young New Zealanders become the first to >>>do worse than their parents.

    Am I overly cynical for suggesting that after we’re now at the point of wanting to prevent young New Zealanders from being the second generation to do worse than their parents? Anyone born from the mid-1970s onwards would have run into the nastiness of user pays and the student loan system.

  10. fisiani 10

    40 campaigning days to go and Labour launch their unaffordable bribe fest. Trouble is that the phone is still off the hook 40 days out. A case of premature ejelection. National wait another two weeks and have a Polynesian love-in. Looking good. Really good for three more years.

    • McFlock 10.1

      National are polling ten points behind what they were when they just scraped their only real policy through with the help of an election fraudster.

      It looks like they might get thoroughly polled by the electorate next month.

      • Colonial Viper 10.1.1

        I will be very very surprised if National get over 44% in this coming election. Damn racist card Winston Peters is the best (only) hope of National forming a government now.

        • Enough is Enough 10.1.1.1

          Unfortunately that is a strong hope for the bastards.

          Nats with 43-44% plus Winston with 5% get them very close to where they need to be.

          I think our best hope is Winston sucking up 4.9%. Conservatives sucking up 3% and Goldsmith winning Epsom.

          That will leave Key stranded with about 55 MPs

    • Draco T Bastard 10.2

      40 campaigning days to go and Labour launch their unaffordable bribe fest costed and affordable better society than National will ever achieve while also paying off National’s massive debt blowout.

      FTFY

      The rest of what you wrote has me wondering just WTF you’re smoking – it’s obviously killing your last brain cell.

    • minarch 10.3

      youre starting to sound a little tired fisiani

      worried about your next monthly paycheck & not sleeping properly ?

  11. Whatever next 11

    National supporters looking increasingly impotent each day

    • dave 11.1

      national supporters are just so negative.
      it must throught of all those unpaid taxes catching up with them.

  12. bad12 12

    Interesting stuff from Labour’s leader, of the areas that deeply interest me, those that Do sway my votes, Labour with its ‘Best Start’ program scores highly as in the future this program directly addresses the heart of the child poverty issue,

    i do not propose to address at all any negative concerns i have about any of Labour’s policy, the time has long passed where there is any useful point in doing so, the election being upon us and where possible a solid front needs to be presented to the electorate from across the spectrum of the left,

    The politics inherent in David Cunliffe’s opening ambit to the ‘official campaign launch’ tho are of interest, it is obvious that the Labour leader has no plans to wake up on the morning after wondering ‘what if’,

    The proposal for the free doctors visits for over 65’s may yet hold special meaning for the shape and makeup of the next coalition Government and i should imagine that Winston Peters must be quietly seething at today’s announced policy,

    NZFirst, credited in the public polls thus far as either below or just at the required 5% of public support is now in danger of losing votes on three fronts,

    1), Being the 2011 tactical voters who are for obvious reasons highly unlikely to entertain voting for NZFirst in 2014,

    2), Being Colon and the Colonics, perhaps laughably anal retentives all in need of a Colonostrophy directly targeting the NZFirst vote,

    3), Being the ‘new’ Labour policy of free doctors visits for over 65’s, while probably not having a huge effect on the Grey Power set where in their droves there will be a mass exodus from NZFirst to Labour from within this demographic, such a policy has the ability to chisel off from NZFirst a small but hugely significant minor % of their vote,

    My belief is that electorally NZFirst was on very shaky ground even befor today’s opening salvo from the Labour leader, the free doctors for over 65’s policy might just be the straw that did unimaginable and unprintable things to the poor old NZFirst camel…

    • Colonial Viper 12.1

      Good thinking, we are in interesting times indeed.

      • Clemgeopin 12.1.1

        Wouldn’t it be swell to have an election night result that says…

        ACT out!
        SEYMOUR out!
        UF out!
        DUNNE out!
        NZF out!
        PETERS out!
        CONS out!
        CRAIG out!
        MAORI PARTY out!
        FLAVEL out!
        KEY OUT!
        NATIONAL out!

        Instead,….

        LABOUR in!
        GREENS in!
        IMP in!

        Oops, I better go back to dream. It is 1:20 am!

  13. Rosie 13

    Great speech!

    Good examples of real world life struggles and how lives can be improved with the right policy. Something Key knows nothing of. Labour along with coalition partners will bring a compassionate and socially engaged government, in stark contrast to our current disinterested self serving socially destructive government.

    Until Cunliffe came along and the Labour Party in general gave itself a good dose of caffeine I wasn’t sure if I would ever be saying this again, but I can – I am proud to be voting two ticks Labour.

    • Olwyn 13.1

      I will also be giving my two ticks to Labour. Although it would be unusual for National to miss out on a third term, you could frame this election as a battle between actual politicians and PR constructs. All of the political leaders on the left are politically educated and engaged, whereas it is safe to say that NONE of the current leaders on the right are. On the right, they are all the front-of-house for whoever is financing them, directing their pitches toward a range of political markets. National of course does have actual politicians among their number, but I am talking about the leadership. Not only do I want to see the left win with Labour under Cunliffe’s leadership, I want to see this experiment in replacing proper politicians with biddable frauds come to an end.

      • Rosa Canina 13.1.1

        Well said Olwyn.

        One can only hope that voters have learnt over the last 6 years that the government they brought in is a cardboard cut out of a government, one with vested interests, and that those interests exclude the common good.

        6 Years of our country being run by a PR company has to come to an end, I agree.

        Heartening to see that people are getting it after all this time and expressing their understanding of our leader in their hoarding “art”. Two new ones in the wgtn region “working for myself” and “working for my rich mates” plus other assorted “corrections”. Such reworkings of National hoardings wasn’t as prevalent in 2011.

        • Rosie 13.1.1.1

          “In moderation”. Sorry Lynn/mods, just messing with ya. I am playing with my handle, as she is a blank field these days…………..

        • Olwyn 13.1.1.2

          Thanks Rosie/Rosa – I agree re the hoardings. The Nat PR machine has been less successful at dismissing critics this time around. People are finding their voices again.

      • Rosie 13.1.2

        I did reply to you Olwyn in support of your view but my comment has disappeared, most likely due to my changing my handle/name. I’ve been getting a blank field for my name and email for several weeks and this time is was too tempting to use my usual handle…………

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