Wednesday 13th Sep 2000 Penny Webster Media Release -- Economy
Deputy Prime Minister, Jim Anderton, is wrong to claim that the number of long term and permanent departures of
professionals, managers and technicians is not worsening, said ACT Immigration spokesman Penny Webster.
“The truth is that in the latest statistics, for the year to July, show that 15,930 legislators, administrators,
managers, professionals technicians and associate professionals have left either permanently or long term. This is the
highest number since the current categorising was commenced in 1992”.
It also appears higher than previous years harder to compare statistics.
“The facts are clear. The exodus of skilled and talented New Zealanders in the latest available statistics are a very
serious concern, and a serious embarrassment to Mr Anderton and the Government”
“Yet despite these telling statistics, the Government remains in denial”.
“The prospect of the Government addressing this exodus is improbable, given they refuse to even admit there is a
problem. The increasing loss of talented Kiwis is a serious threat to the skilled development of our people” concluded
Penny Webster.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.